A new independent poll of the race for Louisiana governor shows incumbent Democrat John Bel Edwards in the lead at 47 percent, and within the margin of error for avoiding a runoff. The We Ask America poll also reflects a recent trend of the two Republicans trading places, with Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone at 23 percent, and Ralph Abraham trailing at 17 percent.
Pollster Andrew Weissert says he can't say Edwards is over the top just yet, because even though Edwards has a 56 percent approval rating, voters still aren’t confident he’s righted the ship.
"A plurality of voters at 44 percent believe the state is headed in the wrong direction, compared to 43 percent who believe it is heading in the right direction,” said Weissert.
The poll did have one encouraging bit of news for Edwards: 61 percent of independents have a favorable view of him.
It’s the second independent poll to show Rispone climbing ahead of Abraham. Weissert says the GOP side of the race will be fascinating because if they can’t force a runoff, neither of their efforts matter.
“The question is whether they continue to fight it out for second, or have the ability to cut into the Governor’s numbers themselves,” said Weissert. “So far it looks like Governor Edwards has been able to rise above the fray.”
The poll surveyed 600 likely voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus four percent.
Weissert says if Edwards remains stuck under 50 percent and gets thrown into a runoff, the Governor could be in big trouble, as Republicans appear ready to unite behind either option.
“Eddie’s image is at 64 percent favorable over 17 percent unfavorable among Republicans, while the congressman is at 65 percent favorable and 18 percent unfavorable,” said Weissert.
The poll has 11 percent undecided, with two percent saying they’ll vote for independent Gary Landrieu.