U.S. Sen. John Kennedy won't run for governor next year, opening the door for other Republicans to challenge Louisiana's incumbent Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.

"I love being in the United States Senate," Kennedy said Monday in a news release that surprised many. "I will not be a candidate for governor in 2019. I will, however, continue to work hard every day in D.C. and Louisiana for jobs, economic growth, cheaper health insurance, a stronger military and an end to government waste.

"I am fortunate to sit on powerful Senate committees that provide a venue to do that. It is such an honor to represent the people of Louisiana in the United States Senate. Right now, that’s where I think I can do the most good."

With Kennedy out, that leaves wealthy Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone as the only announced Republican candidate in the field, although Congressman Ralph Abraham is waiting in the wings.

Three Republicans once considered potential candidates, U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack, have already said they won't run.

Rispone has vowed to invest at least $5 million of his fortune into his campaign to unseat Edwards.

"Louisiana needs a strong leader who can take on the challenges we face, and our great state just isn't getting that with the current governor," Abraham said Monday. "My family and I are talking about answering this call to serve, and we will have a decision on a run for governor very soon.

"There are several must-pass bills facing Congress in the next two weeks and my focus right now is on my job."

Republican state Treasurer John Schroder said Kennedy's exit may cause him to consider entering the race.

"Obviously I'm going to talk to people about it, but right now I'm a little bit surprised," Schroder said. "I really thought he would run."

State Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, has also said she may consider running.

Edwards said Kennedy's flirting with the race "was about focusing the spotlight on himself."

"For Sen. Kennedy, this was never about the people of Louisiana," Edwards said. "Now that this is behind us, my hope is that he will make it a priority to work together with me and the entire congressional delegation to get things done for the hard working families of this state. There are more than 4.5 million good people who call Louisiana home. They deserve to have elected officials who will work together to put Louisiana first.



"I'm proud of my record as governor," he said. "Over the past 3 years we've started to clean up the mess we inherited, stabilized funding for critical services, and are running a budget surplus even after reducing the tax burden on the people of Louisiana by $600 million."

Kennedy had announced a self-imposed Dec. 1 deadline in October for his decision along with a poll he commissioned that showed him leading Edwards in a head-to-head race. Last week he pushed the deadline back to Monday.

He hasn't yet backed anyone for governor.

"I hope someone runs for governor who understands that Louisiana state government does not have to be a big, slow, dumb, wasteful, sometimes corrupt, spend-money-like-it-was-ditchwater, anti-taxpayer, top down institution," he said. "I love Louisiana as much as I love my country, and the people of my state deserve a state government as good as they are.

"Finally, I want to thank the many constituents who encouraged me to run. Your support humbles me. It is my honor to serve you in the United States Senate. You, and your families, are the reason I get up to do this job each and every day."

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1