LA-Gov: Jindal Wins

His victory was expected.

He won 54% outright, avoiding a primary runoff. The combined Democratic vote was about 33%, with Walter Boasso on top at 18%. Independent John George received 14%.

Interesting facts; George won New Orleans, with Jindal coming in second and Boasso third.

In other races;

Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu won reelection by a wide margin, winning 56% and carrying most of the New Orleans area, even heavily Republican St. Tammany and Plaquemines Parishes. He won nearly 90% of the vote in New Orleans, and took Baton Rouge and Shreveport by wide margins, but narrowly won Lake Charles.


Attorney General Charles Foti was defeated, a runoff will take place between Democrat Buddy Caldwell, who came in first in the jungle primary, and Republican Royal Alexander. Caldwell did very well, carrying not only New Orleans, but narrowly losing heavily Republican St. Tammany Parish and winning Plaquemines and St. Bernard, both very Republican. Alexander made it to the runoff thanks to a bigger than expected win in the Shreveport area.

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, a Republican, won election by a wide margin.

Democrats look to gain a seat or two in the State Senate, loose a couple of seats in the State House.

All in all, a victory for the Republicans, but not the victory everyone expected. Democrats did hold their own. Lt. Governor Landrieu won more votes than Jindal. His sister is running for Senate next year and is the most vulnerable Democrat. Does this help her? Stay tuned.

2007 Governors Races Rankings

There are only three, but they're good ones;

Kentucky: Incumbent Republican Ernie Fletcher looks like he's in big trouble against Democratic former Lt. Governor Steve Beshear, who has led by double digits since he won the primary back in May. Lean Democratic

Louisiana: An open seat is the best hope for the Democrats, and even thought it's open, Rep. Bobby Jindal of Metarie is way ahead, but don't count Chalmette State Rep. Walter Boasso out just yet. If it goes to a runoff, Boasso has a shot. Not a very good one though. Lean Republican

Mississippi: Haley Barbour is too popular here, he should be on the Republican VP shortlist or even the 2012 Presidential candidate shortlist should they loose next year. The only Democrat running is John Arthur Eaves, Jr, a pro-life, anti-gay marriage Democrat who has declared; “I am a Democrat because I am a Christian.” It may play well in conservative Mississippi, but conservatives down there have no issue with Barbour. Solid Republican

LA-Gov; Republicans Just Got REALLY Lucky

Former Senator John Breaux (D-Louisiana) will NOT run for Governor this year. Breaux says he is not running because he did not get a definite answer on whether or not he is qualified to run for Governor as he has lived in Maryland since his retirement in 2005.

That leaves no major Democrat in the race against the already powerful candidate, Republican Congressman Bobby Jindal of Kenner, who has a massive lead in polls.

Rep. Charles Melacon of Napoleonville, a Democrat, is also not running. That leaves the only announced candidates on the Democratic side as Foster Campbell, a member of the Public Service Commission and Rev. Raymond Brown, a New Orleans civil rights activist.

Democrats will scramble for a big name candidate. Former Attorney General Richard Ieyoub comes to mind, as does Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, and former Congressmen Cleo Fields and Chris John. (Fields lost to Republican Mike Foster in a landslide for the governorship in 1995.)

Fun Fact: If Jindal does win the race in November, he will be the youngest Governor in the country, at age 36; one year younger than Governor Matt Blunt (R-Missouri)