But such are the divisions in the GOP that many Republicans cast their lot with Edwards, including outgoing Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, who endorsed the Democrat in the runoff.
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With his anti-abortion and pro-gun stances and tenure as an Army Ranger, Edwards downplayed his Democratic roots, positioned himself as a moderate and said he’d govern in a way that unites the state, claiming Vitter would bring his divisive, Washington-style politics to Louisiana.
Mr. Edwards said in debates, speeches and ads that he would be faithful to his state and to his wife.
Vitter said he’d reached his “personal term limit” and would leave the Senate when his term expires in January 2017, but he pledged to work with the new administration in Baton Rouge while in the nation’s capital.
Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger Villere pointed to victories for lieutenant governor and attorney general and gains in the state Legislature. Opinion polls show Obama and his party sharply at odds with the electorate on the issue. This was a case where the GOP went to war with each other and the Democrats ended up winning (even if Jack Bel Edwards seems pretty conservative).
So, is the race in Louisiana a lesson for Democrats who are struggling to win statewide offices? Two other Republicans on the statewide ballot beat their Democratic challengers handily, each drawing 100,000 more Republican votes than Vitter did, according to the secretary of state’s website.
Edwards painted the race as a referendum on Vitter’s character and integrity and suggested the USA senator didn’t measure up. In addition, many analysts felt that the Paris terrorist attacks and the ensuing controversy over settling Syrian refugees in Louisiana, might play in Vitter’s favor.
In one ad, an announcer intones, “Vitter chose prostitutes over patriots”, implying that he answered a sex worker’s call during a veteran’s program, NPR reported. Obviously, had Vitter won last night he would have had to step aside from the Senate before taking office and would have likely exercised his authority as Governor to appoint a successor who would then stand for election in the November 2016 election. Charles Boustany and John Fleming. “So I think the people of Louisiana spoke tonight and spoke with a loud voice”. “I’m going to go duck hunting with my son”. Angelle was one of Vitter’s Republican opponents in the gubernatorial primary. He angered Vitter when he refused to endorse the Senate against Edwards in the runoff election. The race will lean Republican no matter who ends up the nominee.
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Melinda Deslatte/AP Former Republican presidential candidate Gov. Bobby Jindal is term-limited and will be stepping down for John Bel Edwards. Had Vitter lost a close race, like the 52-48 defeat Jindal suffered at Blanco’s hands in 2003, the blame would have fallen very largely on the heads of the Jindal faction for not supporting the party’s candidate.
