LA GOVERNOR’S RACE - This is the final week for the Louisiana Governor’s race between incumbent Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican challenger businessman Eddie Rispone. Recent polling indicates a tight race with results favoring Edwards by 2% however the margin for error is 4%. Political analysts have described the race as a toss-up. Stephanie Grace is a political observer and columnist for The New Orleans Advocate. She explained to Baton Rouge Public Radio WRKF why the race is so close between Edwards and Rispone.
STEPHANIE GRACE - "Well it really has been a toss-up since John Bel Edwards did not win outright in the primary. He did much better than Rispone in the primary, but most of those other votes were votes for another Republican. The questions is, how many of those would automatically go to Rispone, or how many could John Bel Edwards pick off? The other question is could they change turnout, because John Bel Edwards' turnout in the primary was pretty disappointing. And I know he's been very focused on that."
Early voting results indicate a stronger voter turnout than in the primary and a notable increase among African-American voters which could be considered a good sign for Edwards. But even with an increase in support from minority voters, it’s unclear if that would be enough to push Edwards over the top.
STEPHANIE GRACE - "The messaging has been split. You know, one issue that probably plays okay with both groups is Medicaid expansion. He's been focusing very much on that, say that Rispone's idea to freeze it, what ever that means, would in effect kill it."
As for Rispone, Thursday evening President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear in Bossier City at a Rally to drum up support for the businessman. As to whether or not this will get enough voters to the polls, that is uncertain CONSIDERING recent governor’s races in Mississippi and Kentucky where Republican incumbent Matt Bevin was narrowly defeated by Democrat Andy Bashear.
STEPHANIE GRACE - "Matt Bevin was an incumbent and he was a Republican in a Republican state that President Donald Trump won by I think 30%. Donald Trump came in, did a big rally for him. Polls showed [Bevin's] approval raiting was in the mid-thirties, and yet he almost won. John Bel Edwards has a kind of reverse situation. He's a Democrat in a Republican state. He has a good approval raiting. What really strikes me is his low disapproval rating. If 38% say they don't like him, that means 62% are okay with him. Yet, a bunch of them are going to vote against him anyway and the question is how many."
WHERE TO VOTE - With early voting over, all that remains is the outcome from regular voting this Saturday November 16th. If you’re not sure where to vote or need to find your polling place CLICK LINK: LOUISIANA VOTER PORTAL
