Louisiana Rep. Richard Nelson has announced his campaign for governor and joins a list of major Republicans, including state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, Attorney General Jeff Landry, and Treasurer John Schroder, in the race to replace Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, who is term-limited after eight years in office. Nelson, who is 36, has made a name for himself as an advocate to abolish the state income tax and hopes to capitalize on his youth and fresh perspective. In his announcement video, Nelson stated,
"Louisiana has everything going for it, but is held back by leaders who are stuck in the past."
He also highlighted his work on legislation aimed at improving literacy in the state. Nelson's entry into the race leaves Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves as the biggest remaining question mark on the Republican side. On the Democratic side, Edwards' Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson has been the most active in exploring the race.