Louisiana's top GOP brass have endorsed Republican Acting Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin in his bid to keep the job.
Ardoin topped a crowded field in the Nov. 6 primary with 20 percent of vote.
He will face Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup of Clinton in the Dec. 8 runoff.
Collins-Greenup was the biggest surprise of the election, finishing second after spending virtually no money on her campaign and jumping over the state Democratic Party nominee Renee Fontenot Free.
She is meeting with the state Democratic Party's executive committee members Tuesday night, so an endorsement from them could be forthcoming.
Ardoin bested five other Republican candidates in the field. He became acting secretary of state earlier this year after Republican Tom Schedler resigned because of an interoffice sex scandal.
Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Louis Gurvich announced the endorsements.
“It is vital that we keep a conservative Republican as our Louisiana secretary of state," Gurvich said in a press release. "We cannot afford a liberal progressive in that office who would weaken our voter ID laws and undermine the integrity of our elections.
“It's critical that all Louisiana Republicans show up to support and vote for Secretary of State Ardoin on December 8. No one should take this election for granted.”
Ardoin is considered a heavy favorite in the runoff.
Other Republicans to endorse Ardoin include: U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy; Congressmen Steve Scalise, Ralph Abraham, Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson; Treasurer John Schroder; Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain; and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.
Ardoin pointed to controversial election tallies in Florida and Georgia and said he will "fight the radicals who wish to change our election laws."
“Look at what’s happening in Florida and Georgia, where the incompetence of local election officials is casting serious doubt on the results of the elections in those states," he said. "This cannot be allowed to happen in Louisiana. I will continue to ensure the security of our elections, and fight the radicals who wish to change our election laws.”
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1