Amedee beats Harrison
November 22, 2015
Cantrelle unseats Randolph in Lafourche
November 22, 2015
STAFF REPORT
Louisiana voters returned a Democrat to the governor’s office Saturday, electing state Rep. John Bel Edwards with 56 percent of the vote.
In a hotly contested race, Edwards and Republican contender U.S. State Sen. David Vitter exchanged a barrage of negative print, radio and TV ads. Saying a “breeze of hope was blowing across the state,” Edwards told supporters. “I didn’t start it, but I did catch it.”
“People have chosen hope of ‘business as usual,’” the governor-elect said.
Calling on voters to unite and work together, Edwards vowed to always put the state first.
“I will always be honest with you; I will never embarrass you; and I will get up every day fighting to put the people of the great state of Louisiana first,” he said.
In conceding the election, Vitter told supporters he will not seek re-election next year to his U.S. Senate seat.
“I am eager to refocus on the important work in the U.S. Senate,” Vitter said. “But I am only going to be doing that through one more year in this term.”
Vitter said he would pursue new challenges outside government. “I am genuinely excited about starting a new chapter in my professional life,” he said.
Edwards netted 646,860 votes statewide compared to Vitter’s 505,929. However, in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, Vitter was the top vote earner.
