Political races generating little excitement

Rarely is there a dull moment during election season in Louisiana. But with this year’s slate promising very few fireworks, local media outlets could find themselves bereft of both political drama and the campaign dollars it provides. “It’s bad. That’s pretty much the bottom line,” says Eric Marshall, an assignment editor with WBRZ-TV. He says that the station is “not particularly focused on anything” because of the lack of hot races. “The hottest thing was the Baton Rouge budget,” he says. Marshall referred budgetary questions to the station’s general manager, who could not be reached by deadline. The open gubernatorial election will be held on Oct. 22, with a runoff election slated for Nov. 19 if a candidate fails to amass 50% of the vote. Incumbent Gov. Bobby Jindal is currently the runaway favorite, with only schoolteacher Tara Hollis having announced her intention to run as a Democrat. Minister Dan Northcutt, an independent, has already dropped out. About the only statewide races creating any kind of buzz are matchups for offices such as lieutenant governor and secretary of state. —Ian McGibboney