Here's who Democrats are banking on in Louisiana's October election

Louisiana's Democratic State Central Committee chose its slate of candidates to endorse for statewide offices in the Oct. 12 primary election during its weekend meeting in Baton Rouge.

Though the Democrats can boast having the only Deep South Democratic governor with John Bel Edwards, all of Louisiana's other statewide office holders are all Republicans.

The party endorsed Edwards for re-election earlier this year. His top opponents are Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham of Alto and wealthy Baton Rouge business man Eddie Rispone.

Outside of Edwards, all of the Democrats endorsed by the state party in the other races will be decided underdogs.

Here's who Democrats are pinning their hopes on to flip the down-ballot offices from red to blue.

No Democrats qualified for the insurance commissioner's race.

Lieutenant governor

The Democrats chose Willie Jones of New Orleans, who will face Republican incumbent Billy Nungesser. Jones has been a member of the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee.

“After working with Willie Jones in the Orleans Democratic Parish Executive Committee, there is no doubt in my mind he’s the best candidate to serve us as lieutenant governor,” said Sen. Karen Carter Peterson of New Orleans, who is also chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party.

Secretary of state

The committee unanimously endorsed Gwen Collins-Greenup of Clinton, who will face incumbent Republican Kyle Ardoin.

Collins-Greenup advanced to the runoff against Ardoin in a special election last year, but Ardoin beat her 59 percent to 41 percent.

Peterson called Collins-Greenup "the people's candidate" for secretary of state.

Attorney general

Ike Jackson, an attorney from Plaquemine, earned a unanimous endorsement. He'll go heads-up against incumbent Republican Jeff Landry.

"Whether it’s his almost 30 years of legal experience, serving as general counsel of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources or his service in the office he’s currently running for as assistant attorney general of Louisiana, Ike’s qualifications speak for themselves," Peterson said.

Treasurer

Derrick Edwards, an attorney and accountant from Baton Rouge, gets the unanimous backing for a rematch of the 2017 runoff against incumbent Republican John Schroder.

Schroder beat Edwards 56 percent to 44 percent in that race.

“Derrick Edwards is the only candidate with the experience to actually run the Louisiana state treasurer’s office,” Peterson said.

Agriculture commissioner

The party endorsed all three Democrats challenging incumbent Republican Mike Strain.

They include: Charlie Greer of Natchitoches Parish, who had a 20-year career in the agency; Marguerite Green, a New Orleans vegetable and flower farmer; and Peter Williams of Baton Rouge.

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