1987 Louisiana gubernatorial election

The 1987 Louisiana gubernatorial election was held to elect the Governor of Louisiana. Incumbent Democratic Governor Edwin Edwards lost re-election to a second term, defeated by former Democratic Buddy Roemer.

1987 Louisiana gubernatorial election

October 24, 1987
 
Candidate Buddy Roemer Edwin Edwards Bob Livingston
Party Democratic Democratic Republican
Popular vote 516,128 434,802 287,770
Percentage 33.15% 27.93% 18.49%

 
Candidate Billy Tauzin James H. "Jim" Brown
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 154,444 138,824
Percentage 9.92% 8.92%

Results by Parish. Blue denotes parishes won by Buddy Roemer, green denotes parishes won by Edwin Edwards, red denotes parishes won by Bob Livingston and orange denotes parishes won by Billy Tauzin

Governor before election

Edwin Edwards
Democratic

Elected Governor

Buddy Roemer
Democratic

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 and as neither took over 50% a runoff was schedule, but Edwards withdrew causing the runoff's cancellation. This election is currently the most recent worst performance of a Republican in Louisiana's gubernatorial election with Representative Bob Livingston taking only 18.49% of the vote.

Background

In this election, the first round of voting was held on October 24. In second place, Edwin Edwards was entitled to face Roemer in the runoff, but he withdrew from the race after the first round of voting. Buddy Roemer, elected as a Democrat, switched his party affiliation to Republican during his term as governor.

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 33.15
Democratic Edwin Edwards (incumbent) 437,801 27.93
Republican Robert "Bob" Livingston 287,780 18.49
Democratic Billy Tauzin 154,079 9.92
Democratic James H. "Jim" Brown 138,223 8.92
Democratic Speedy O. Long 18,738 1.20
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

Sources

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

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