Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican challenger Eddie Rispone will face off in a November 16th run-off. Edwards received 47-percent of the vote in the gubernatorial primary and plans to campaign on the accomplishments during his first term.
“Today I can stand before and says that over 450,000 Louisianians have health insurance who didn’t have it before I became governor, I am happy to remind you that we gave our teachers their first pay raise in over a decade,” said Edwards.
Rispone received 27-percent of the vote and now has the support of the third-place finisher in the race, Congressman Ralph Abraham. Rispone says with the help of voters he can make Louisiana one of the best states in the country.
“If you want different results, you have to elect a different kind of governor…let’s go do it,” said Rispone.
The governor’s race is not the only statewide election heading to a run-off. Republican Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin will once again face Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup. Ardoin received 41% of the vote, while Collins-Greenup had 34%.
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon won a tough re-election battle against Tim Temple from DeRidder. Donelon garnered 53-percent to Temple’s 47-percent.
The other statewide elected officials had an easier time winning, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Schroder and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain beat four other candidates.
