Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana has appealed to voters in his conservative state with his stances on abortion and guns. Yet he is still a Democrat, making him vulnerable in a state where President Trump is popular. He faces a challenge from Eddie Rispone, a Baton Rouge businessman who emerged as the second-place finisher in last month's nonpartisan primary. Read more

Mr. Edwards has warned that his opponent would return Louisiana to the slashed services and budget deficits that were partly attributable to his Republican predecessor, Bobby Jindal, and that he helped correct. Mr. Rispone has made his campaign largely about aligning himself with President Trump and his policies, effectively making the election a test of Mr. Trump's influence and the strength of partisan allegiances.