On the heels of Governor John Bel Edwards signing the fetal heartbeat abortion bill, a survey of 500 Louisiana Democrats finds 42-percent of them would like to see another Democrat run for governor. UL Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says an ambitious, pro-choice Democrat could pose a serious threat to Edwards’ re-election chances, but…
“Do you want to be known as the Democrat who prevented a Democratic Governor from getting a second term? Some people might say yea, that’s reasonable, it’ll give me great name recognition, other people will say hmm, once I do that, I ruin myself with the party.”
Edwards received widespread condemnation from national Democrats for his signature of the fetal heartbeat abortion ban passed by the legislature.
The survey found that only 32-percent of Democrats support the governor’s pro-life position. Cross says Edwards re-election campaign team should be concerned.
“I would say they have got to have a bridge to these people who are concerned about the abortion issue. We have got to find a way to reassure them that we support them in nearly every area.”
Among Democrats under 35-years-old, 64 percent support having another Dem option in the race.
Cross says the poll does provide some good news for Edwards. 60 percent of Democrats opposed his signing of the restrictions, but some of those pro-choice Democrats seem to still be in his corner.
“So that 17 percent (of Democrats) has clearly come to terms with well, we don’t like what he did but I am going to support him anyway.”
We Ask America, who ran the poll, is reportedly a Republican friendly polling firm.