Louisiana State Sen. Jay Luneau (D-Alexandria) today (March 9) became the latest elected official to endorse Shawn Wilson’s campaign for governor in 2023. Gov. John Bel Edwards and U.S. Rep. Troy Carter have also endorsed Wilson.
“Dr. Shawn Wilson is the kind of leader our state deserves,” Luneau said. “We have experienced devastation from storms resulting in some of the highest insurance prices in the country. I’ve witnessed Shawn’s tenacity and thoroughness as DOTD Secretary, and he has what it takes to build coalitions among industry, stakeholders, and residents.
Wilson, former secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, announced his candidacy earlier this week, becoming the highest profile Democrat and only African-American to publicly announce plans to run for governor.
He recently retired from DOTD’s top post, wrapping up a 25-year career as a state employee. Gov. Edwards appointed Wilson to lead the department in 2016.
“I’ve spent my career bringing people together to tackle tough issues for Louisiana. I’ve worked for four different governors for over 25 years. I know the challenges our state is facing, and I know what it’ll take to overcome them,” Wilson said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “Louisiana needs a Governor that’ll build bridges; not burn them. That’s the kind of leader I’ve been, and that’s exactly the kind of Governor I promise to be. My family and I look forward to hitting the campaign trail and earning every vote.”
A native New Orleanian, Wilson’s candidacy is drumming up support from high-profile officials. Reflecting on his work as head of DOTD, Gov. Edwards endorsed Wilson one day after he announced he would run.
“When I was elected Governor, the only person I wanted to serve as your Transportation Secretary was Shawn Wilson,” Edwards said ion his endorsement. “Shawn’s reputation speaks for itself. He’s spent his career bringing people together to accomplish the most difficult tasks. In his seven years as Secretary, he has overseen the implementation of the largest infrastructure investments in our state’s history. We are finally tackling the infrastructure projects we have dreamed about for decades. His success in this role was only possible because he works with anyone, regardless of political party, to get things done.”
Edwards continued, “While in many significant ways Louisiana is demonstrably better today than when I was elected, we have our fair share of challenges, and I believe the only way to overcome them is by putting partisan differences aside to put Louisiana first. Shawn shares my belief that we should put what’s best for our people before what’s best for our political parties. If we’re going to continue to move Louisiana in the right direction, we need Shawn as our next Governor. He’s exactly the type of leader who will bridge the partisan divides that too often take hold of our politics.”
U.S. Rep. Carter echoed those sentiments in his endorsement of Wilson as well.
“I’m proud to endorse a fellow native son of Algiers. Shawn Wilson’s tenure at the DOTD was nothing short of exemplary,” U.S. Rep. Carter said in his endorsement of Wilson. “When the wheels of government move effectively, they run like the department he ran over the last seven years. Shawn doesn’t play politics. He is a Louisiana leader that has had a national impact on all of transportation. He collaborates with everyone, is innovative, and achieves for the people.”
“Dr. Shawn Wilson is the kind of leader our state deserves,” Luneau said. “We have experienced devastation from storms resulting in some of the highest insurance prices in the country. I’ve witnessed Shawn’s tenacity and thoroughness as DOTD Secretary, and he has what it takes to build coalitions among industry, stakeholders, and residents.
