Nearly half of Louisiana’s state lawmakers won re-election without having to go to the voters, when no one signed up to challenge them.
The Associated Press reports 20 of 39 senators and 49 of 105 House members drew no opponents in this week’s candidate registration period. One representative who won without opposition and will take office in January has never been in the Legislature.
Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he was stunned how many officials around Louisiana were elected automatically when no one qualified to run against them. He cites continued voter apathy, locally and nationally.
Barry Erwin, president of the Council For A Better Louisiana, says the state’s difficult and continued budget problems likely have lessened interest in legislative seats.
“It’s just not a pleasant place to be right now,” Erwin says.
