Early voting data shows significant Democratic turnout in Louisiana’s largest cities, potentially paving the way for Democrat Jamie Davis to challenge Republican Julia Letlow in a Senate race in a historically Republican state.
Davis, a farmer from Tensas Parish in northeast Louisiana, has reason to be optimistic as early voting numbers from cities like New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport have been described as “gigantic.”
Demographer Greg Rigamer, who has analyzed elections for decades, spoke about how the early vote turnout could play in Davis’ favor.
“These are really big numbers, and that’s going to influence the race,” said Rigamer.
Rigamer highlighted a map showing the state’s largest cities, which all reported massive early voting numbers.
“There’s a lot of interest in this race,” said Rigamer.
Rigamer explained that Davis’s path to victory could mirror the strategy used by former Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2019.
A map from that election showed Edwards did not win the majority of parishes, but he secured victory by dominating in the state’s largest parishes, which had high voter turnout.
Rigamer also noted that voter dissatisfaction with the cost of living could play a significant role in the election.
“An angry voter is far more reliable than a supporter, because a supporter may get distracted and not vote,” said Rigamer. “An angry voter wants to come out and express their dissatisfaction.”
The last Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in Louisiana was Mary Landrieu in 2008. She later lost her seat in 2014 to current Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy.
Davis is running against Letlow, a Republican and the current congresswoman for Louisiana’s 5th District, which spans from Baton Rouge to Monroe and includes parts of Tangipahoa Parish and all of Washington Parish.
Wednesday night, President Donald Trump announced his plans to host a tele-rally for Letlow, the eve before Nov. 3.
In a Truth Social post, the president wrote: “I know Julia well, have seen her tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and she is a TOTAL WINNER!”
Election day is Nov. 3.
READ MORE:Political analyst outlines possible paths for Jamie Davis to win U.S. Senate race
