Republican Senator John Kennedy out of Louisiana governor's race

Republican U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said he won't run for governor of Louisiana this year, which is likely to trigger a flood of on-the-fence candidates to jump into the race.

In November, shortly after winning a second, six-year Senate term in a landslide victory, Kennedy said he would give the governor's race "serious consideration" and released a poll showing him as the front-runner, but ended speculation Wednesday.

"I have looked into my heart and decided to remain in the Senate and not to run for governor," Kennedy said in an email to supporters. "At this juncture, I just think I can help my state and my country more in the Senate."

Kennedy's announcement puts Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has already secured the state GOP endorsement, as the clear leader out of the gate and the only major candidate to have officially announced.

But Republican Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser will likely be close on Landry's heels as soon as next week. Nungesser, who said he will announce his intentions Jan. 10, released a poll he commissioned to the media Wednesday showing him as the leading Republican with 23%, followed by Landry at 22%.

Another statewide elected official, Republican Treasurer John Schroder, plans to announce his intentions on the governor's race on Jan. 12.

Schroder had said he would only consider running if Kennedy didn't.

In fact, much of the potential Republican field other than Landry had been frozen while Kennedy considered the race.

Two-term Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, the only Democratic governor in the Deep South, is term limited and can't run for reelection.

Edwards' Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson, a Democrat, is considering the race and was shown at 23% in Nungesser's poll released Wednesday.

But Louisiana is a deeply red state with no statewide elected Democrats other than Edwards, who is considered a political anomaly by many.

Among the other Republicans considering the race: Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves; state Sen. Sharon Hewitt of Slidell; and state Rep. Richard Nelson of Mandeville.

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

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana Senator John Kennedy won't run for governor; who's up next?