Gov. John Bel Edwards will face businessman Eddie Rispone as he seeks a second term.
With 63 of 64 parish reporting, 3,905 of 3,934 precincts, Edwards received 47% of the votes in Saturday’s primary. In St. Landry Parish won 46% of the vote.
Rispone won 27% of the vote to earn a spot in the general election scheduled Nov. 16.
There were 1,310,106 votes counted in the incomplete results.
Edwards, 53, was polling at 48% in the days before the election.
U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, 65, a third-term congressman, had 24% of the vote.
Rispone, 70, vaulted ahead of Abraham after a tough attack launched about three weeks before election.
Edwards emphasized how he worked with the Republican-controlled Legislature to turn the state budget deficit into a surplus.
Edwards also focused on his background as a s a West Point graduate, Army service as a captain, comfort with guns and signing a strict anti-abortion bill into law.
Edwards also noted a teacher pay raise, aid for early childhood education and support for higher education.
The governor also expanded Medicaid to about 450,000 working poor people.
Araham pledged to cut taxes and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. The congressman promised to upgrade roads and bridges.
Ripsone stressed his business background and attacked Edwards a tax-and-spend career politician.
In other state elections with 63 of 64 parishes reporting:
— Lieutenant Governor: William “Billy” Nungesser won with 68% against Willie Jones.
— Secretary of State: incumbent Kyle Ardoin (41%) is in runoff with “Gwen” Collins-Greenup (34%).
— Attorney General: Jeff Landry won election with 66% over Ike Jackson Jr.
— Treasurer: Mike Strain re-election with 57% of the vote.
— Commissioner of Insurance: Incumbent Jim Donelon won 54% to defeat Tim Temple.
