The big questions are whether the frontrunner for governor, Republican congressman Bobby Jindal, will win the 50% needed to avoid a runoff (remember, all candidates from every party run on the same ballot) and, if not, which of the other three candidates will finish second.
Some of the downballot races have interesting storylines too. I've summarized three of them below, with links to lengthy New Orleans Times-Picayune pieces that describe the candidates and issues.
Attorney General: Charles Foti, a Democrat, faces voters for the first time since he unsuccessfully prosecuted a medical center surgeon and nursing home owners for patient deaths during Hurricane Katrina.
Agriculture Commissioner: Bob Odom, a Democrat, seeks an eighth term amid charges of corruption.
Lieutenant Governor: Mitch Landrieu, a Democrat and a scion of one of Louisiana's most powerful political families, tries to regain his footing after losing a bid for mayor of New Orleans last year.
