Update: Troy Carter won the race, earning 55% of the vote to Karen Carter Peterson’s 45%
Southeast Louisiana voters decide who will represent the state’s second congressional district in DC Saturday. UNO Political Science Professor Ed Chervenak said the heated race between Democrats Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter is not about the issues.
“These two candidates are pretty similar in their positions on the issues there’s not a lot of distance between them and I think that’s why we’re seeing such a hotly contested race is because they’ve gone personal,” said Chervenak.
Chervenak said the race comes down to likeability between the candidates and their ability to turn out the vote. He said with voter turnout expected to be between 15 and 20 percent it’s definitely a challenge.
“And the candidate who’s best able to mobilize their supporters should win. The weather may be a factor which may reduce turnout even more so it’s incumbent upon these campaigns to get their supporter to the poll,” said Chervenak.
Both candidates are from New Orleans and serve in the Louisiana Senate. Chervenak said Carter received the endorsement of outgoing Congressman Cedric Richmond…
“And he’s basically calling himself a centrist who can work across the aisle whereas Karen Carter Peterson is taking a much more progressive stance on the issues and can be this bold courageous leader that people are looking for in the district,” said Chervenak.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
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