BATON ROUGE - Democratic candidate for governor John Bel Edwards has surged in recent polls, raising hopes among Democrats that they might be able to reclaim the Louisiana governor's mansion.

Right now, Republicans hold every statewide elected job. And in the conservative state, Edwards remains a long-shot at becoming Louisiana's next governor.

Baton Rouge-based pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Democrats will have a tough time winning any statewide race in Louisiana, because of voter dissatisfaction with Democrats nationally.

Edwards and Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter lead the field in the Oct. 24 election and appear headed for a runoff.

Edwards is banking on voters' disapproval of term-limited Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal to help boost his candidacy. Vitter is expected to rely on voter dislike of President Barack Obama and link Edwards to the president.