Republican David Vitter Battles Prostitution Scandal in the Bayou

There were fireworks in Baton Rouge as gubernatorial candidates John Bel Edwards and David Vitter squared-off in their first debate since making the run-off in October. He’s been criticized for a negative campaign tone and misleading attack ads, and Edwards has taken the lead in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat statewide since 2008. “You got to expand your flexibility to expand cuts across a broader spectrum of the budget so you’re not focusing those cuts on higher education and healthcare”, said Edwards.

“The state Democratic Party does it on your behalf”, Vitter said to Edwards. Vitter, a USA senator, apologized in 2007 for a “very serious sin” after he was linked through phone records to Washington’s “D.C. Madam”.

Vitter was hoping to gain ground through the debate, hosted by Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the Council for A Better Louisiana.

For the first time since surviving the primary and advancing to the runoff, both Louisiana gubernatorial candidates squared off on the issues.

“You always look for new ways to create efficiencies and deliver state services with a cost savings”. And he said while he supports charter schools, he wants local school boards to have more control over where they open. “And I humbly ask for your vote and for your prayers”, Edwards said.

“We are not going to stay in that ditch that we are in under Bobby Jindal”, Edwards said.

“The short answer to the question is ‘no.’ My campaign has not hired, paid for anybody to do any tracking or any investigations”, said Edwards.

“He’s been doing the work and charting the course of the teacher unions, not the parents”, Vitter said.

Vitter’s prostitution scandal wasn’t addressed directly, but both candidates admitted to using negative campaign ads.

While Edwards has framed the race as a decision based on character and integrity, suggesting Vitter doesn’t possess those, Vitter in recent days has attempted to draw stark policy contrasts between the two.

“I learned that our falls aren’t what define us but rather how we get up, accept responsibility and earn redemption”, Vitter says, as the ad next shows him eating dinner with his family.

Early voting runs now through November 14.