Mayor-President Kip Holden will once again serve East Baton Rouge Parish in his third term after a landslide victory Tuesday night, defeating three other candidates.
Holden had 60 percent of the votes with 97 percent of precincts reporting by 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to Nola.com.
Holden’s main opponent was Republican Mayor-President Pro Tempore Mike Walker, earning 34 percent of the votes, while independents Gordon Mese and Steve Myers secured 4 percent.
Crime was a major issue leading up to the debate, with candidates claiming Holden has not done enough during his time in office.
Holden was the first African American to be elected as Baton Rouge mayor-president. He celebrated his victory at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge Tuesday night.
In other state elections, Amendment No. 2 on the ballot that seeks to eliminate restriction on guns in Louisiana passed. The amendment calls for a rewrite to the Louisiana constitution, featuring new language that would pave the way for an absolute right to bear arms.
But critics of the amendment have expressed concern that the law could lead to guns in churches, bars and college campuses.
The amendment came to public referendum after it passed through the Louisiana State Legislature earlier this year.
-Holden: 60% votes
-Walker: 34% votes
-Mese/Myers: 4% votes
