Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards wins second term in Louisiana: 'How sweet it is!'

Greg Hilburn | The News Star

BATON ROUGE – Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards won a second term Saturday to remain the only Democratic governor in the Deep South despite an all-out effort by President Donald Trump to flip the seat to the Republican column.

Edwards beat wealthy Republican businessman Eddie Rispone in a tight race with 51% to 49%. Complete but unofficial returns showed Edwards with 774,469 votes and Rispone with 734,128.

"How sweet it is!" Edwards said to a cheering crowd here at the Renaissance Hotel after Rispone conceded the race. "What a great night it is for Louisiana."

Rispone invested more than $14 million of his own money to finance his campaign, tying himself to Trump from start to finish.

While many Republicans bemoaned the lack of star power in their candidate – powerhouse Republican U.S. Sen. John Kennedy and popular GOP state Attorney General Jeff Landry passed on the race – Edwards had to fend off Trump and vice President Mike Pence during the months-long campaign.

Edwards referred to Trump in his victory speech: "As for the president, God bless his heart."

“Tonight, the people of Louisiana have chosen to chart their own path,” Edwards said. “I have never been more hopeful that Louisiana’s best days are ahead. Because we’ve proven what we can do when we put people over politics.”

Across town at L'Auberge Casino & Hotel, Rispone told his supporters, "We have nothing to be ashamed of. We have over 700,000 people in Louisiana that really want something better and something different.”

Trump headlined three Louisiana rallies to oust Edwards, first in Lake Charles on the eve of the Oct. 12 primary election and then in Monroe and Bossier City during the runoff campaign.

The president told Louisiana voters the race was a symbolic referendum on his presidency, which he said is under attack by Democrats who've started impeachment hearings in the House.

"I need you to send a message to the corrupt Democrats in Washington," Trump said Thursday during a rally at the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City.

And that could be done, Trump said, by electing Rispone.

"You've got to give me a big win, OK?" Trump told the crowd.

The president continued the onslaught on Twitter during Election Day Saturday: “Good morning Louisiana! … Get out and VOTE for @EddieRisone to be your next Gov!”

But in the end Trump’s coattails weren’t long enough to carry Rispone across the finish line.

Edwards predicted as much during his own rally in Shreveport Thursday, expressing confidence voters wouldn’t allow the president to nationalize the election.

"The voters of Louisiana are going to decide this election on Louisiana issues," Edwards said. "They don't need the president or anybody else to tell them how to vote."

And Edwards also overcame history. Before Saturday no incumbent Louisiana governor had ever won when pushed to a runoff, although the only time that’s happened in modern history was 1987 when then Gov. Edwin Edwards conceded to Buddy Roemer after the primary election.

But Edwards’ victory won’t bring with it a mandate for him to push through priorities like equal pay legislation and a Louisiana minimum wage higher than the national mandate of $7.25 per hour.

As a Democrat he’s still an anomaly both in the South and in Louisiana, where Edwards is the only Democrat to hold statewide office.

And he’ll face Republican majorities in both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature during his second term.

Still, Edwards expressed optimism he and lawmakers can find common ground.

“Practically every major thing I've done as governor was done on a bipartisan basis,” he said.

Popular Louisiana Republican Congressman Steve Scalise, who stood on the stage with Trump during the president's Louisiana rallies, congratulated Edwards afterward.

”The voters of Louisiana have spoken and I congratulate John Bel Edwards on winning a hard-fought race to be re-elected governor of Louisiana," Scalise said in a statement. "I will continue to work with Gov. Edwards on any issues that help Louisiana, like coastal restoration, flood protection and disaster recovery.

“As the dean of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, I know firsthand the value and importance of fighting for our beliefs while working across party lines to protect our unique way of life and also moving our state forward."

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

Gov. John Bel Edwards: 'How sweet it is' Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards addresses supporters after winning reelection Saturday night as the Deep South's only Democratic governor.