1987 Louisiana gubernatorial election

1987 Louisiana gubernatorial election

October 24, 1987 (first round)

Candidate Buddy Roemer Edwin Edwards Bob Livingston Party Democratic Democratic Republican First round 516,078 33.11% 437,801 28.09% 287,780 18.46% Runoff Winner by default Withdrew Eliminated   Candidate Billy Tauzin James H. "Jim" Brown Party Democratic Democratic First round 154,079 9.88% 138,223 8.87% Runoff Eliminated Eliminated

Parish results Roemer:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Edwards:      30–40%      40–50% Livingston:      30–40%      40–50% Tauzin:      30–40%      40–50%

Governor before election Edwin Edwards Democratic Elected Governor Buddy Roemer Democratic

The 1987 Louisiana gubernatorial election was held to elect the Governor of Louisiana. Three-term incumbent Democratic Governor Edwin Edwards lost re-election to a fourth term, defeated by Democratic congressman Buddy Roemer.

Under Louisiana's jungle primary system, all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party, and voters may vote for any candidate, regardless of their party affiliation. On October 24, 1987, Roemer and Edwards took the two highest popular vote counts. As neither took over 50% a runoff was scheduled, but Edwards withdrew, causing the runoff's cancellation.

Background

Edwin Edwards defeated Governor Dave Treen in the 1983 election. Edwards was prosecuted as governor by U.S. District Attorney John Volz for selling hospital certificates, but the first trial results in a hung jury before Edwards was acquitted.

Campaign

The Times-Picayune and other newspapers endorsed Roemer four weeks prior to the primary. He was initially fifth in polling behind Edwards and Livingston, but rose to placing first in the primary. Edwards withdrew from the election prior to the runoff.

Livingston only placed first in three parishes which were all within his congressional district. Republican areas, such as Caddo Parish, instead supported Roemer.

Results

Parishes won by Gubernatorial Candidates in the October 24, 1987 Election.

  Buddy Roemer (37)

  Edwin Edwards (20)

  Billy Tauzin (4)

  Bob Livingston (3)

First voting round, October 24

1987 Louisiana gubernatorial election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Buddy Roemer	516,078	33.11
	Democratic	Edwin Edwards (incumbent)	437,801	28.09
	Republican	Robert "Bob" Livingston	287,780	18.46
	Democratic	Billy Tauzin	154,079	9.88
	Democratic	James H. "Jim" Brown	138,223	8.87
	Democratic	Speedy O. Long	18,738	1.2
	Democratic	Earl J. Amedee	3,767	0.24
	Democratic	Ken "Cousin Ken" Lewis	2,264	0.15
Total	1,558,730	100
	Democratic hold

Runoff did not occur due to Edwards withdrawing

Preceded by 1983 gubernatorial election

Louisiana gubernatorial elections

Succeeded by 1991 gubernatorial election

Works cited

• Moreland, Laurence; Steed, Robert; Baker, Tod, eds. (1991). The 1988 Presidential Election in the South: Continuity Amidst Change in Southern Party Politics. Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0275931455.

Sources

State of Louisiana. Primary and General Election Returns, 1987.