Many people may have taken Wednesday night’s gubernatorial Hob Nob for granted, but not Gisela Chevalier.
Chevalier, an immigration paralegal from Kenner, grew up in Cuba and moved to Louisiana a few years ago. She knows what it is like to be unable to choose the best candidate for a government position.
“In my country we don’t have this kind of situation where you can mingle with candidates,” Chevalier said. “As a matter of fact, there are no candidates there.”
The Cuban native was just one of 350 people who took part in the gubernatorial Hob Nob on the Old State Capitol front lawn. The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Baton Rouge and other local businesses sponsored the event, which was designed to give residents a chance to meet the gubernatorial candidates in an informal atmosphere, said Karen Futrell, the chamber’s senior vice president for marketing and member services.
As candidates made their way through the crowd greeting guests with a smile, a handshake and introduction, Amy Allen, raised in Winnfield, said she was reminded of the style of politics from years ago.
“Growing up [in Winnfield], the political stuff and speeches were very popular, especially on the lawns of the candidates’ homes,” Allen said.
Allen, a retired education consultant, said the event gave community members a chance to come out and see what the candidates had to offer.
“There is a great history of politics in Louisiana, and I think this is an exciting time for Louisiana,” Allen said. “I think the more informed a person is about the candidates and the issues, the better choice they will make.”
Each candidate in attendance – Hunt Downer, Buddy Leach, Allan Allgood, Kathleen Blanco, Randy Ewing and J.E. Jumonville Jr. – gave a timed five-minute speech in front of residents and campaign supporters.
The most discussed topic of the night was the responsibility of selling Louisiana to companies across the world. All candidates cited that this issue would stop the growing “brain drain,” the outward migration of college students to other states seeking jobs, that is occurring in the state.
Even with the festive atmosphere not all attendees were ecstatic about the night.
Chuck Langlois, a Greenwell Springs native, said the man he came to see, Republican candidate Bobby Jindal, was a no-show.
“I am going to vote for him because he just appears to be an honest man and the rest of them do not,” Langlois said.
Langlois and the rest of Louisiana residents will have their opportunity to decide who will be in the runoff on Oct. 4, with the new governor chosen Nov. 15.