2019 LA Governor's race: on Crime


Eddie Rispone: Modernize criminal justice system; make it more efficient

We need to modernize our criminal justice system, much like we do in business. Using technological advancements and modern approaches, we can create a justice system that is more efficient and effective. We should promote proven re-entry programs and training to make sure individuals released from prison can rejoin society as productive citizens with access to a quality job.
Source: 225 Magazine on 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race Sep 30, 2019

Eddie Rispone: Religious objection to death penalty, and not a deterrent

Rispone said, "I really don't believe in the death penalty. It goes back to my faith--really and truly. If it was proven to be a deterrent and it saved innocent lives, then I would probably have to think hard about it again." He said he came to that conclusion after discussions with prosecutors and others in law enforcement.
Source: The Advocate on 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race Mar 29, 2019

Ralph Abraham: I favor the death penalty & I'm also favor enforcing it

when caught you will be put to death. While we're at it, I'd like to see child molesters added to the list of death penalty eligible. There is no greater monster than someone who harms an innocent child." Abraham has aggressively pushed for the use of the death penalty in Louisiana. "Not only am I in favor of the death penalty, but I'm also in favor of enforcing it," Abraham told The Advocate. "If you murder someone in Louisiana, you should know that
Source: The Advocate on 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race Mar 29, 2019

John Bel Edwards: Reduce highest incarceration rate in the nation

Edwards has championed criminal justice reform: "For 40 years, Louisiana took the approach that we were just going to put more people in prison, keep them there longer and pay whatever it cost. We couldn't afford it, and we were not safer as a result."

In fact, Louisiana had the highest incarceration rate in the nation until this year, when it fell below Oklahoma's. Edwards explains how he shed that distinction by releasing some nonviolent offenders early and then reimagining the whole system. As a result, he says, "we were able to save 12 million dollars last fiscal year alone, and we're going to reinvest eight million of that into making sure that people are successful upon re-entry" into society. Edwards has also restarted the process of commuting sentences; as of October, he has approved 119 of the 164 pardons recommended by the state's Pardon Board during his term. (His predecessor, Bobby Jindal, had approved only 23 pardons during the same point in his first term.)

Source: America Magazine on 2019 Louisiana gubernatorial race Dec 14, 2018

John Bel Edwards: No executions until better lethal drugs found

On the issue of the death penalty, Mr. Edwards has been circumspect, declining to take a position on efforts to ban the punishment in Louisiana. At the same time, the Edwards administration has supported a federal court order that prohibits executions because pharmaceutical companies refuse to provide the drugs needed for lethal injections under Louisiana law. Because of the inability to obtain these specific drugs, Louisiana has not carried out an execution since 2010.
Source: America Magazine on 2019 Louisiana gubernatorial race Dec 14, 2018

  • The above quotations are from 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Crime.
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Candidates and political leaders on Crime:

Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Mar 21, 2020