The special election for the 2nd Congressional District is headed to a runoff between New Orleans State Senators Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter.
Carter won 36 percent to Peterson’s 23 percent. Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers nearly made the runoff at 21 percent. JMC Analytics Publisher John Couvillon said Carter is the favorite, but Chamber’s endorsement will play a huge role in who ultimately is sent to D.C.
“(Carter’s) lead is illusory because Chambers received 21 percent of the vote and I would think that that vote would additudinally be closer to Senator Peterson,” said Couvillon.
Total turnout was 18 percent, above initial predictions that it would land in the high single digits.
Republican candidates combined for 16 percent of the vote. Couvillon said along with a Chambers endorsement this is the second biggest factor that will impact the runoff, with the onus being on Troy Carter to win the lion’s share of the GOP vote to crack 50 percent.
Claston Bernard led the Republican field at ten percent.
The race did see one strange situation. Peterson took third place in her home district while Chambers took third place in his hometown Baton Rouge precincts. Couvillon said it’s hard to know what to make of that.
“It is kind of an interesting wrinkle as to where the candidates can pick up support,” said Couvillon.
The runoff is set for April 24th.
Comments