Elections Are Near, But Louisiana Is Short On Candidates

Elections are a month away, but Louisiana's races are short on candidates.

Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says candidates failed to sign up for 24 different races across the state.

"We're talking about major elections for mayor, chief of police, councilmen positions," Alford said.

Although the secretary of state's office has said a record number of candidates qualified for elections in August, Alford says more than 100 candidates have withdrawn or were disqualified from various races.

"Some folks are probably just downright scared to run," Alford said. "They don't want to be under that much scrutiny."

Alford also notes that more than 75 percent of judgeship races in the state were handed over to sitting judges and candidates who are running unopposed.

"For us to have a competitive process to get the best and brightest, we need some of those names on the ballot," Alford said.