Nine candidates ranging from seasoned elected officials to political novices want to be the guardian of your vote as the next Louisiana Secretary of State.
The job became available after former Secretary of State Tom Schedler resigned last spring following an interoffice sex scandal with one of his employees accusing him of harassment.
Voters will choose his replacement on Election Day Tuesday after a brisk period of early voting ended this week.
The secretary of state is Louisiana's chief elections officer and keeper of the state's archives, among other duties.
None of the candidates are household names, so here's another brief introduction of them all for those who haven't been following them on the campaign trail.
Acting Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, R-Baton Rouge: Ardoin, who had said he wouldn't run for the office until he reversed course in the final minutes of qualifying, wants to parlay his experience into the permanent job.
"This is no time for on-the-job training," Ardoin has said repeatedly on the campaign trail.
During the campaign Ardoin said while others could only speculate on cyber security, he has created a new cyber security office within the agency that has been approved and hired.
"Your vote is secure and will be protected," he said.
Ardoin said he knew nothing of Schedler's sex scandal.
Ardoin has raised $264,353, including $25,000 in loans and spent $210,417 on his campaign so far. He reports $45,437 cash on hand for the final days.
Turkey Creek Mayor Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek: Cloud said she was inspired to run because she was a victim of voter fraud in her 2014 election for mayor.
Cloud sued the secretary of state in 2014 and won, earning a new election, which she won.
Cloud spent $25,000 and navigated five court cases to have the election overturned, she said.
"I had to wage war on state government," Cloud said. "I haven't dropped the ball on integrity and I won't drop the ball as secretary of state."
Cloud has raised $129,537, including $102,900 in loans, and spent $19,171 on her campaign so far. She reported $106,017 cash on hand for the final days.
Gwen Collins-Greenup, D-Clinton: The only African-American in the race, Collins-Greenup is a political novice who is a notary public and recent law school graduate.
"I believe I have a lot to offer my community and my state; I love to serve," she said.
Collins-Greenup has emphasized modernizing the state archives and voting machines and engaging young voters by increasing civics offerings in high school.
She has raised $2,650 and spent $1,281 on her campaign so far. She reported $255 cash on hand for the final days.
A.G. Crowe, R-Pearl River: Crowe, a businessman and former senator, said his experience in both arenas makes him the most qualified for the job.
"We have a plan to save the state money and give people a higher level of protection of their privacy and information," said Crowe, who operated a records management company for 16 years.
"It's equally important to maintain the highest level of integrity in our election system," he said.
Crowe has raised $168,035, including $100,000 in loans, and spent $169,273 on his campaign so far. He reported $15,870 cash on hand for the final days.
State Rep. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge: Edmonds, a legislator and Christian minister, has consistently claimed to be the most conservative candidate, touting more than 30 votes against taxes during his time in the Legislature.
He has also been the sharpest critic of Ardoin, accusing him of lying by reversing course and joining the race.
"When you give your word, keep it," Edmonds said to Ardoin during a forum.
Edmonds said elections security will be his top priority.
"It's time to build a wall around our voting process and data," he said. "It's on the front burner of Americans' concern and it should be."
Edmonds has raised $249,914, including $50,000 in loans, and spent $228,104. He reported $22,339 cash on hand in the final days.
Renee Fontenot Free, D-Baton Rouge: Free has spent her career in public service, but not as a politician.
Free said she helped rebuild the state's voting rolls following Hurricane Katrina while working for the secretary of state and has most recently worked for Republican state Attorney General Jeff Landry.
"I don't need on-the-job training," she said in response to Ardoin.
She has noted many of the other announced candidates had political careers and said they are looking at the secretary of state's office "as a golden parachute for term-limited politicians."
Free has raised $73,989 and spent $31,974. She reported $36,674 cash on hand for the final days.
Thomas J. Kennedy III, R-Metairie: When he qualified Kennedy said confidence needs to be restored in the office following the scandal.
"The issues and scandals with the office (need to be addressed)," he said. "We need a fresh face."
Kennedy has not reported raising or spending any money on his campaign.
Matthew Paul "Matt" Moreau, no party-Zachary: Moreau is a political novice who owns a medical equipment business.
"I want to work for the progressive good growth of Louisiana," he said after qualifying.
Moreau has raised $2,575, all in loans, and spent $2,175 so far. He reported $400 cash on had for the final days.
State Rep. Julie Stokes, R-Metairie: Stokes has been the most vocal about the need to "restore integrity" to the office after the scandal.
She has called herself "a first-responder" against sexual harassment in the Legislature.
Stokes said the agency needs a clean sweep of leadership associated with Schedler.
"The first thing we need is a fresh set of eyes and remove scandal from the office," she said.
She also warned against anyone meddling in Louisiana elections if she is elected.
"Protecting the sanctity (of elections) is my top priority," Stokes said. "I'm not afraid to stand up to Putin or the Russians."
She has raised $519,596, including $250,000 in loans, and spent $438,907 on her campaign so far. She reported $258,899 cash on hand for the final days.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1
