By DAN JUNEAU

They are off and running!

Now that the potential favorite – John Breaux – has decided not to ship in for the Derby, the field is forming quickly for the 2003 governor’s race, and a crowded field it appears to be – at least for a while.

The most apprehensive of the potential candidates prior to Breaux’s announcement were the Democrats. Going up against a popular senior U.S. Senator who is the darling of the Sunday morning network talk shows would have been a stiff challenge for a fellow Democrat.

As soon as Breaux made his decision public, former Congressman and legislative Ways and Means Chairman Buddy Leach indicated his announcement was forthcoming.

Leach has been out of elected politics for a considerable period of time, but he will not be short on cash for the race.

A visibly relieved Lt. Governor Kathleen Blanco made her intentions clear, although she indicated her announcement would come later.

Attorney General Richard Ieyoub (who is quick to remind listeners that he holds the record for most votes ever cast for a statewide elected official) did not immediately toss his hat into the ring, but Breaux’s decision will undoubtedly guarantee his entry.

Former Senate President Randy Ewing, while not yet announced, will now actively begin lining up the funding and grass roots support necessary for the race.

The Democrat who was probably influenced the least by Breaux’s announcement was State Treasurer John Kennedy. Kennedy had quietly let it be known that he was running regardless of what Breaux decided.

While still unannounced, Kennedy will be making his decision official in the near future. From a Democratic standpoint, a major potential player in the race has not been heard from yet.

All of the previous names mentioned are white candidates. The biggest fear white Democrats have when entering a gubernatorial race is that a strong black Democrat also runs and denies other Democrats access to the black vote that is crucial for a Democrat to win.

Congressman Bill Jefferson made no official comment after Breaux’s recent announcement, but he has certainly not ruled out making another run for governor.

To Democrats, Breaux’s decision was like one shoe dropping; they will now listen anxiously for the sound of the other shoe – Jefferson’s decision.

On the Republican side of the ledger, the field may end up equally as crowded.

For months now, state Senator Ken Hollis has been campaigning on an economic development platform. The Metairie-based Republican is an aggressive fund-raiser and has been beating the financial bushes for quite a while.

Hollis’ long-time Senate protg and former roommate, Senate President John Hainkel, is seriously eying a run for governor.

Another legislator, former Speaker of the House Hunt Downer – recently back from the delivery of the “Spirit of Louisiana” fire truck to New York City – has signaled his intention to run as well.

Current Commissioner of Elections and former New Orleans City Council member Suzie Terrell is looking at both the governor’s race and the attorney general slot, if Ieyoub runs for governor.

Two other potential Republican candidates to watch are Public Service Commissioner Jay Blossman who might make the governor’s race if he makes a strong but unsuccessful run against U. S. Senator Mary Landrieu, and Congressman David Vitter who could, at worst, use the race to build name identity around the state while eying John Breaux’s U.S. Senate seat if Breaux retires in 2004.

The candidates are definitely lining up for the governor’s race, but contributors will probably want to see how the race shapes up a bit more before the “smart money” starts hitting the street.

Two keys to the race in the early going will be what Bill Jefferson decides to do, and which candidates prove early on that they can access the money necessary to make a serious run.

In a statewide gubernatorial race, money is not everything – but it is a most important thing.

DAN JUNEAU is the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.