A Democratic state representative from Amite, Louisiana, won the governor’s seat Saturday night, dethroning a Republican Louisiana political legacy.
State Rep. John Bel Edwards claimed the governor’s seat with 56 percent of the vote over U.S. Sen. David Vitter’s 44 percent, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s unofficial results.
Jacques Petit, LSU economics and mass communication junior and Edwards’ campaign intern, said eight years under Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal— plagued by budget cuts, Common Core and higher political ambitions — led the state to vote for a change in party.
“I did not create this breeze of hope … but I did catch it,” Edwards said to a crowd in New Orleans’ Hotel Monteleone, exceeding the room’s maximum capacity.
In Kenner, Louisiana, Vitter’s watch party took on a somber tone when results revealed Edwards won Jefferson Parish — Vitter’s home parish.
Edwards took Jefferson Parish 51-49 percent with a 37.6 percent unofficial turnout, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office.
Unable to escape past scandals involving prostitution and espionage, Vitter gave the first concession speech of his political career. He said he would not seek re-election in the Senate but instead fill his spot with another conservative.
Elections for attorney general and lieutenant governor came to a close Saturday as former U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry and former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser won their respective seats.
Landry claimed the state’s top law enforcement office with 56.3 percent of the vote against fellow Republican and incumbent James “Buddy” Caldwell’s 43.7 percent. Caldwell sought a third term bid.
The closure following the governor’s race was offset by the campaign drama encompassing the attorney general’s race. Landry accused Caldwell of spoon-feeding class litigation work to outside law firms, while Caldwell said Landry was not qualified to hold the attorney general’s office after only one term as a representative.
Caldwell’s critics urged voters to put an end to the “Buddy system” as Landry’s $1.17 million campaign outspent Caldwell’s $510,000, according to a report by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Landry had the endorsement of the LA GOP.
The lieutenant governor’s race proved much tamer, with Nungesser ultimately winning the title over Democratic East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden, 55.38 to 44.62 percent.
Both candidates pledged to run clean campaigns with no attack ads. Nungesser promised to follow incumbent Jay Dardenne’s lead by also serving as the de facto secretary of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
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Former Democratic Gov. Edwin Edwards stands on the stage as an audience of supporters wait for governor-elect John Bel Edwards to take the stage on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards gives a victory speech to an audience of supporters after winning the election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards participates in a prayer led by his pastor on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards his wife, Donna Edwards, for her support after sharing a kiss on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Dora Jean Edwards, mother of governor-elect John Bel Edwards, looks to her son as he delivers a victory speech to an audience of supporters on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards gives a victory speech to an audience of supporters after winning the election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards gives a victory speech to an audience of supporters after winning the election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards’ wife Donna Edwards (left) and daughter Samantha Edwards (right) watch John deliver his victory speech on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards gives a victory speech to an audience of supporters after winning the election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards gives a victory speech to an audience of supporters after winning the election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at The Monteleone hotel in New Orleans.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, while embracing his wife, Wendy, at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, while his oldest daughter, Sophie, cries at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter concedes to Democratic state Rep. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial election on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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