NewsCovering Louisiana

Actions

Pres. Trump called Gov. Edwards after win against Rispone

Gov. Edwards
Posted at 8:03 PM, Nov 18, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-18 21:03:49-05

President Donald Trump made several visits to Louisiana to campaign for Republican gubernatorial candidate, Eddie Rispone, who lost the governor's seat to Democrat incumbent John Bel Edwards in Saturday's election.

Trump visited the state three times to drum up support for the Republican candidate, calling on voters to vote out Edwards.

Two days before the runoff election, Trump took to Twitter, saying "the eyes of history are looking at the people of Louisiana." He added that if residents wanted to defend values, jobs, and freedom, they needed to "REPLACE Radical Liberal John Bel Edwards with a true Louisiana patriot."

The election was close, with Edwards finally edging out Risponse with 51.3% of the state's vote versus Rispone's 48.6%.

According to The Advocate, President Trump called Edwards on Monday afternoon. He told the governor he "ran a hell of a campaign" and looks forward to working with him again, according to a spokesman for Governor Edwards.

The Advocate also notes that President Trump has not publicly acknowledged the outcome of Saturday's runoff election.

Edwards' win secures him four more years as the Deep South's only Democratic governor, according to The Associated Press.