Edwards headed for runoff with Rispone
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BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has been forced into a runoff election against Republican Eddie Rispone to determine if he'll win a second term as the Deep South's only Democratic governor.
Edwards was unable to top 50% of the vote in Saturday's primary in the heart of Trump territory. He'll face a head-to-head competition in the Nov. 16 runoff with Rispone, a Baton Rouge businessman and longtime GOP political donor.
National Republicans bombarded Louisiana with advertising and get-out-the-vote events to keep Edwards from a primary win.
President Donald Trump held an election eve, anti-Edwards rally. The president urged Louisiana's voters to pick either Rispone or the race's third-place finisher, Republican U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham.
The Republican offensive against Edwards is expected to intensify over the race's final five weeks.
A spokesperson for President Trump released the following statement:
“Congratulations to Eddie Rispone. John Bel Edwards’ days left as governor are numbered because, come November, the Bayou State will elect a Republican governor who will work with President Trump’s administration to move Louisiana forward.”