Deborah Barfield Berry

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Louisiana is solidly Republican, but the national GOP isn't taking the Senate race for granted since Democrat John Bel Edwards was elected governor.

That victory last year makes the state “a little less-than-solid’’ Republican, said Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

“The Democrats and Republicans just proved ... that a Democrat can, under the right circumstances, win and so we’re mindful of that,’’ said Wicker. “I am mindful that we have to take care of business, and I think if we take care of business in Louisiana it is likely to go Republican.’’

Republicans are defending 24 Senate seats, including one in Louisiana they hope to keep in GOP hands. Republican Sen. David Vitter opted not to run for re-election after losing his bid for governor to Edwards. Only 10 Democratic seats are at stake in November.

Republicans who have already jumped into the race to succeed Vitter include Reps. John Fleming and Charles Boustany; state Treasurer John Kennedy; retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness and former Rep. Joseph Cao. The deadline to become a candidate is July 20, with the general election Nov. 8 and a runoff, if necessary, on Dec. 10.

Democratic candidates include Lafayette-area businessman Joshua Pellerin, New Orleans attorney Caroline Fayard and Foster Campbell, a public service commissioner.

“The momentum from Edwards’ victory does sort of give us great headwind going into this,’’ said Beau Tidwell, communications director for the Louisiana Democratic Party. “We absolutely do have a really strong field. The climate nationally reflects on the local level … (which) is great for Democrats this year and is looking good going into this fall. The Republican brand nationally is in a lot of trouble and that only helps us here in terms of trying to elect statewide in Louisiana.’’

Edwards is the only statewide-elected Democrat. Former Sen. Mary Landrieu was the last statewide Democrat when she lost her re-election bid to Republican Bill Cassidy in 2014.

Race for Vitter's Senate seat will be fiercely competitive

Louisiana has become increasingly more conservative. The state Legislature is controlled by Republicans and there is just one Democrat, Rep. Cedric Richmond from New Orleans, in the congressional delegation.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the Senate seat solid Republican, while Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics says its likely Republican.

Some political experts say neither party should read too much into the impact of Edwards’ win on the Senate contest. Races for governor and Senate are different. They noted other factors in the Edwards' race, including his effort to succeed an unpopular governor.

The Edwards’ “victory doesn’t necessarily portend anything in the Senate race,’’ said Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College. “If you want to look at a state that would do weird stuff, look at Louisiana.’’

Cassidy agreed Edwards’ win won’t matter much in the Senate race.

“I’m sure Democrats are hoping that. I don’t see it,’’ the Republican senator said.

Cassidy's defeat of Landrieu in a tough, expensive race garnered national attention early on when it had the potential of helping determine control of the Senate.

Landrieu, who was targeted by Republicans and special interest groups, was one of a few Democratic senators left in the South.

“Our state has become obviously red,’’ Cassidy said. “The governor’s race was something different. You can argue now that there’s a lot of buyers’ remorse.''

But Democrats are banking on their candidates benefiting from Edwards' accomplishments, including his recent expansion of Medicaid. They also plan to compare his policies to those of former Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal. Jindal, who abandoned his bid for president last fall, was unpopular in the state.

Edwards gives boost to Campbell for Senate

Edwards' successes are ‘‘naturally going to be a boon for any Democrat running for Senate,’’ Tidwell said.

Edwards has endorsed Campbell, who he called "a dedicated public servant.''

"I think he'd make a great senator," Edwards has said.

The Louisiana Democratic Party hasn’t endorsed a candidate, but hopes one emerges from the field soon so Democrats can unite around one person, much like they did in Edwards’ campaign.

“I don’t think anybody should be saying any seat is safe,’’ Tidwell said. “I think the GOP should absolutely be prepared to vigorously defend that spot because we’re certainly going to be going after it with a very, very strong candidate.’’

Cassidy said it will be important for GOP candidates to remind voters that a Democrat in the Senate would adopt the party’s agenda, and that would hurt Louisiana workers.

“Republicans elected to the Senate will automatically be in line with the Republican agenda, which is much better for Louisiana workers,’’ he said.

Despite what’s expected to be a competitive race, Sabato said he doesn’t see Louisiana as a critical seat in the fight for control of the Senate. He said a runoff would mean lower voter turnout, and that favors Republicans.

Republicans aim to raise $62 million in bid to retain control of Senate

“If Democrats win that - it’s icing on the cake,’’ he said. “It means they’ve (Democrats) already won the Senate.’’

Wicker said the NRSC policy is not to get involved in primaries, but he noted there are “three or four serious Republicans gunning for'' the Senate seat in Louisiana

“We’d love to have two Republicans running it off in December,’’ he said. Then “we could really, really relax.’’

--

Contributing: Greg Hilburn, Gannett Louisiana newspapers

--

Contact Deborah Barfield Berry at dberry@gannett.com. Twitter: @dberrygannett