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The article in its entirety is below:
“The last time Louisiana elected a new governor, our state was mired at one of its lowest points in recent history. It had a record deficit, and drastic cuts to education and health care triggered widespread voter dissatisfaction.
Since that time, the governor and most state lawmakers — despite being in opposing political parties — have worked together to right the ship. That record deficit is now a record surplus. Louisiana has invested in education at all levels, from pre-K through college. The state has expanded Medicaid coverage to include working families and kept rural hospitals open. And it has updated a bipartisan master plan to fight coastal erosion.
At this critical juncture, we can’t afford to backtrack. Our next governor must be laser focused on Louisiana’s future, not distracted by Washington-style sideshows. While our state has met some enormous challenges in the past eight years, we now face new threats: an insurance affordability and availability crisis; a tide of young, educated Louisianans leaving the state to seek opportunities elsewhere; a frightening spike in crime; the ravages of climate change; and a perception that Louisiana is hostile not only to businesses but also to many individuals.
Our next governor must set Louisiana on the right path by setting the right tone — by uniting us behind a vision rooted in common ground, not dividing us with hurtful rhetoric or leading us down a path to disappointment with empty promises. Political polarization has grown too intense and destructive, across the country and in state capitals – including Baton Rouge. We need a leader who will lower the temperature, not raise it.
We have followed the governor’s race closely. We have interviewed all seven major candidates, dug deep into their backgrounds and plumbed the depths of their policies and proposals. At the end of this process, we are convinced that one candidate is best suited to lead Louisiana forward: business leader Stephen Waguespack.
As governor, Waguespack will give voters the best of both worlds: He’s enough of a political insider to know the ropes, yet he remains enough of an outsider to offer fresh perspectives. On a long list of issues, he brings a strong point of view but also an openness to others’ ideas and a willingness to reexamine his own.
After a decade representing more than 2,000 employers as CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Waguespack embraced Gov. John Bel Edwards’ decision to give local governments more say-so over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, a property tax incentive for manufacturers that is overseen by a state board. LABI had opposed Edwards’ plan.
A strong advocate of education accountability and other reform measures, Waguespack recognizes that the system should be tweaked to better meet the needs of schools and to put all students on the best track to higher education or employment.
Waguespack, a Republican, says he will extend Edwards’ executive order expanding Medicaid coverage. That is the mark of a leader who empathizes with working families who need affordable health care, and it shows he’s willing to embrace good policies no matter which party originally proposed them.
Unlike many politicians, Waguespack also has the humility to own his mistakes. That happened recently after he responded to a debate question about “Cancer Alley” in a way that he quickly recognized came off as insensitive to the health concerns of those living near industrial plants. In an interview with the paper, he voiced regret for his initial response.
“I do think that the industry investments have provided great economic opportunities that are very attainable for people, and have provided a different quality of life,” he said. “But I also think we have to be very rigorous and robust in our regulatory powers to make sure that if any of that has a downside which is causing valid health concerns, we have to attack it vigorously. That's what I should have said, and that's what I think.”
“Wags,” as he is known, brings a businesslike view to government, but he recognizes government’s limitations. Politically, he’s a pragmatic, realistic conservative — not an ideologue or demagogue. He supports ideas that work, not those that merely sound good or look good on paper.
On the all-important issue of crime, Waguespack supports local efforts to add personnel, invest in crime-solving technology and expand regional efforts to better assess arrested juveniles and steer them toward appropriate services. He also says he will focus on long-term strategies to strengthen education and communities.
In his own words, Waguespack offers the clearest reason for voters to rally behind him: “I've always viewed myself as someone who is looking for opportunities to help the state be successful. I have a brand built on policy development, but also recognizing that just because I have an opinion doesn't mean you won’t have a better idea.”
Lastly, we support Wags because he will best represent Louisiana to the nation and the world by projecting an image of competence, courage and compassion. Those same qualities will be indispensable in uniting and guiding Louisianans through the challenges that await us in the coming years. For all these reasons, Stephen Waguespack is the best choice to be Louisiana’s next governor.”
We are proud and humbled by this endorsement and believe it underscores the trust and confidence many in our state have in Stephen's vision and leadership. Louisiana deserves a governor who embodies competence, courage, and compassion, and with your continued support, we can make that vision a reality.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter Louisiana!
Warm regards,
Team Waguespack
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