With a growing lead in the latest poll for the gubernatorial run-off, Rep. John Bel Edwards announced on Friday that he had received the endorsement of more than a half-dozen mayors from across the state. This follows on the momentum of his endorsement by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association last week. The steady progress his campaign has made, coupled with the catastrophic erosion of Sen. David Vitter’s standing, has prompted national forecasters to downgrade the odds of a Republican victory in Louisiana. The Cook Political Report is calling the race a toss-up, while the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report noted that Vitter “didn’t inspire much confidence.” The University of Virginia Center for Politics also downgraded Republican chances in their forecast.
Among run-off voters, John Bel Edwards currently holds a twenty-point lead on the question of whether or not the candidate shares the values of Louisiana voters. In contrast, Vitter remains mired in scandal and suspicion, with scarcely 30% of voters finding him “honest and trustworthy.” Even more damning, the majority of voters who supported other GOP candidates in the general election view Vitter unfavorably.
“Moving into the run-off, we’re seeing John Bel Edwards continue to build on his momentum and inspire voters across the state with his vision for putting Louisiana first,” said Stephen Handwerk, executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party. “Mayors, veterans, sheriffs, and ordinary families of every political stripe are coming together to turn the page on the divisive, partisan politics Vitter has been peddling.”
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