Senator David Vitter (R) conceded the gubernatorial race Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at the airport Hilton after Representative John Bel Edwards (D) won with 55 percent of the vote.
This was the Senator’s first concession speech of his political career.
Vitter’s election night party turned into a somber event as the vote was called for Edwards. Vitter’s support staff and family entered the stage to rampant applause from the about 200 supporters in the room.
When Vitter entered, the room erupted in applauded. In his concession speech telling his supporters, “Well we came up short tonight, let me rephrase that, I came up short. You all were fabulous.”
The room got quiet when he announced that he would not seek a third term as one of Louisiana’s Senators saying that, “When I decided to make this new race with Wendy I decided that I wanted to pursue new challenges outside the Senate no matter what. I have reached my personal term limit.”
Senator Bill Cassidy (R), Representative John Fleming (R-LA 4^th District), Representative Charles Boustany (R-LA 3^rd District) and Representative Garret Graves (R-LA 6^th District) attended the event.
Senator Cassidy lamented that loss saying, “I feel the same way I do now as I felt after the LSU –Ole Miss game, very disappointed. On the other hand, knowing that life goes on and that we wish John Bel Edwards all the best and we will work together to make our state where families can be more prosperous.”
Despite the loss, Vitter wishes Representative Edwards well.
“Wendy and I truly and sincerely hope he leads all of us with the right solution and succeeds,” says Vitter.