When it comes to conservative politics, Republican state Attorney General Jeff Landry is as far to the right as you can get. So it comes as no surprise that hard-right members of the executive committee of the Louisiana Republican Party decided to jump the gun and endorse Landry’s 2023 bid for governor.

Eddie Rispone, a GOP mega-donor who lost the 2019 gubernatorial runoff to Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, has been pushing the state party to make an early endorsement, according to The Advocate.

“A few people have indicated that they will run for governor, but only Jeff Landry has made a formal announcement,” Rispone said in an email to the party. “Considering those that have indicated they will run, I have decided to support Jeff Landry.

“I encourage other Republican State Central Committee members to consider doing the same, so we can start organizing ourselves around the state and ensure the election of a strong conservative governor.”

Michael DiResto, a member of that central committee, didn’t take kindly to the executive committee’s endorsement. He said the party cancelled its fourth-quarter meeting where the entire body could have considered a possible endorsement.

“I got wind of tonight’s clandestine meeting right as it was apparently set to begin, and the odor was foul,” he said in a statement to the newspaper. “For a party that’s been harping for two years about election integrity and honoring the will of all legitimate voters, tonight’s action by the state GOP executive committee stinks like yesterday’s diapers.

“I have no horse yet in the governor’s election, because we haven’t even heard any of the announced or potential candidates spell out a policy platform. But as a lifelong Republican, the idea that a small cabal would preempt the democratic process literally under the cover of darkness and in a smoke-filled Zoom goes against the foundational values of our party. I predict it will backfire.”

Former U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham is also backing Landry and the Daily Advertiser of Lafayette said, “That Abraham and Rispone are on the same page may be a surprise to many Republicans who remember Rispone’s attack ads against Abraham during the 2019 race that created friction within the GOP, especially among Abraham’s backers.”

As you would expect, GOP  Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Republican state Treasurer John Schroder, who have both indicated they are considering the race, weren’t happy either.

Nungesser said on Twitter, “There is nothing more conservative, nothing more (Republican) than competition. This endorsement process looks more like communist China than the Louisiana we know and love. Some think this is a coronation. Real Republicans will make sure we have an election, not a monarchy.”

As for Abraham’s endorsement, Nungesser told the USA Today Network he was surprised and wondered if “they promised (Abraham) a job.”

“Shame on these people for trying to manipulate the system,” he said. “It’s sad they’re trying to rig this without giving the people of the party a fair vote. Why now? What are they scared of? They’re dividing the party and trying to strong-arm people,”

Schroder told the USA Today network the decision is about “money and inside party politics.”

“There are a lot of solid conservative Republicans planning to run for governor and all Republicans deserve a right to decide,” Schroder told the network before the executive committee’s endorsement decision. “Trying to rig the process is exactly what all Republicans should stand firm in opposing.”

State Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, another possible candidate, said on Twitter that “the citizens of Louisiana do not need backroom deals and political insiders telling them who should be our next governor.”

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, back in May told The Daily Advertiser he has thought about running. “I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about it. I’ve had hundreds of (people) — probably approaching 1,000 — who are encouraging me to run …”

“When it comes back to who is No. 1, they see the current roster and they’re not really excited,” Graves said. “They think Louisiana can do better. It’s amazing how much discontent there is with the current roster.”

USA Today said it was clear then that Graves, though reluctant to put himself in the field, wasn’t impressed with the current lineup at that time — Landry, Nungesser, and Schroder.

Republicans running for governor have a reputation for beating up on one another during the campaign, and they are doing it again even before this one gets underway. DiResto is probably right when he says this early GOP endorsement will backfire.

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