BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, who is considered a possible Democratic gubernatorial candidate, informed Gov. John Bel Edwards Wednesday that he is planning on retiring from his position March 4.
Wilson's retirement seemingly positions him to enter the highly anticipated governor's race in October, in which he has long said he is considering a run. In recent months, Democrats have coalesced behind Wilson's possible candidacy in an election that political pundits say is the GOP's to lose. In his resignation statement, Wilson did not directly confirm any plans for a gubernatorial bid.
“It’s with a heavy heart and passion for public service that I step away from DOTD,” he said in a statement. “Now I have new adventures and goals ahead and it is time to make a life-changing move.”
Wilson has served as Department of Transportation and Development secretary for seven years, and was appointed by Edwards, who can't run for governor this year due to term limits. During Wilson’s tenure the state invested nearly $5.5 billion in infrastructure projects, consisting of more than 7,000 miles of improvements. In 2020, he was elected as the first Black president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
“He has been a tremendous public servant — smart, articulate and I’ve enjoyed working with him,” Edwards, a Democrat, said during his monthly radio call-in show Wednesday afternoon.
Last week, Wilson received praise from U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for his efforts to replace the outdated Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge.
Edwards said if Wilson runs for governor he is “absolutely capable, eminently qualified and would do a wonderful job."
“The next step for him is one that he’s going to announce," Edwards said. “But I can tell you we would be very well served to have Shawn Wilson as our next governor, should he choose to run and the people of Louisiana choose to vote for him."
With Edwards — the only Democratic governor in the Deep South — unable to run again this year, it opens a huge opportunity for the GOP to take hold of the position. Four prominent Republicans are running to lead the state: Attorney General Jeff Landry; State Treasurer John Schroder; state Sen. Sharon Hewitt; and state Rep. Richard Nelson. Hunter Lundy, a Lake Charles small-business owner and attorney, has said he’ll run as an independent. If Wilson enters the race, he would be the first high-profile Democrat to join.
Gubernatorial candidates are required to officially submit qualifying papers to the secretary of state between Aug. 8 and Aug. 10.
Under Louisiana’s “jungle” primary system, all candidates — regardless of party affiliation — will run against one another on the same ballot Oct. 14. If no candidate tops 50% in that primary, the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election on Nov. 18.
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