Louisiana Democrat Governor Victory Disrupts Partisan Politics Tradition

Gov.-elect John Bel Edwards, the first Democrat elected to statewide office in Louisiana since 2008, carried over the theme of his campaign in his first press conference Sunday following Saturday’s election. John Bel Edwards sold himself as a conservative Democrat, but has no intention of governing as such.

Mr Edwards will take over from the Republican incumbent, Bobby Jindal, in January, becoming the only Democratic governor in the Deep South. A staunch Catholic who served in the United States army, he will be out of step with much of his party on issues including gun rights, which he supports, and abortion, which he opposes.

The race has become one of the most salacious because of attack ads.

Republicans said they will keep control of the Legislature.

Edwards attracted a surprising number of endorsements from law enforcement groups, such as the Louisiana Sheriffs Association, that are more inclined to favor Republicans.

Already damaged by the various vice allegations, Mr Vitter ended the primary 14 points behind Mr Edwards.

“This election shows us that the people of Louisiana in a time of deep cynicism about our politics, and also about our future, that the people have chosen hope over scorn… over negativity”, a jubilant Edwards said to his cheering supporters during his victory speech at the Monteleone Hotel.

“It comes as no surprise that David Vitter is distorting the facts and trying to use this tragedy to save his desperate campaign”, Edwards said from a bookshelf-lined office, with an American flag in the background.

Democrats will seek to convince themselves that Edwards’ victory is somehow the “turn of the tide” and represents a comeback for the party that will carry over into 2016.

Before he officially announced his candidacy, Vitter had been seen as the front-runner, given his fundraising success, unquestioned conservative reputation and skill at crushing challengers.

Edwards benefited from a primary in which he largely escaped attacks while the Republicans slammed each other.

The Republican coasted to an easy victory Saturday against East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden, a Democrat, after fighting for his spot in the runoff. Dardenne said of Vitter.

“Fifteen years ago, I faced my darkest day in life when I had to look my kids in the eye and tell them how badly I’d failed my family”, Vitter said during his closing statement Monday night.

In the final days of the campaign, Vitter sought to rally Republican voters who stayed home in the primary by drawing policy distinctions with Edwards and making Syrian refugee resettlement an issue in the state campaign.

Instead, Edwards wins – thanks to a public who has been sold a bill of goods that he’s “not so bad”. In the end, Louisiana is a red state and last night’s results would likely have been different had Republicans united behind a candidate other than Vitter. That fantasy is going to dissipate very quickly, and Louisiana’s voters will be left once again wondering why their choices, and options, ended up so wanting.