1999 Louisiana gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1999 Louisiana gubernatorial election
Country:Louisiana
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1995 Louisiana gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1995
Next Election:2003 Louisiana gubernatorial election
Next Year:2003
Election Date:October 23, 1999
Flag Year:1912
Image1:File:GovFoster1 (cropped).JPG
Nominee1:Mike Foster
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:805,203
Percentage1:62.17%
Nominee2:Bill Jefferson
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:382,445
Percentage2:29.53%
Map Size:290px
Governor
Before Election:Mike Foster
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Mike Foster
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1999 Louisiana gubernatorial election was held on October 23, 1999, incumbent Republican Mike Foster won reelection to a second term as governor of Louisiana becoming the first Republican to ever do so.

In 1999 all elections in Louisiana—with the exception of U.S. presidential elections—followed a variation of the open primary system called the jungle primary (the system has since been abandoned for all federal elections between 2008 and 2010, but has remained in use for state and local elections). Candidates of any and all parties are listed on one ballot; voters need not limit themselves to the candidates of one party. Unless one candidate takes more than 50% of the vote in the first round, a runoff election is then held between the top two candidates, who may in fact be members of the same party.[2] In this election, the first round of voting was held on October 23, 1999. Since Foster won over 50% of the vote, the runoff, which would have been held November 20, 1999, was canceled. Foster was the first Republican in Louisiana to win a second gubernatorial term.

The only parishes carried by Jefferson were his home of Orleans and East Carroll, where Jefferson's birthplace, Lake Providence serves as the parish seat.

Results

Foster easily won reelection with 62.17% of the vote. Due to Foster winning more than 50% of the vote, there was no runoff. Jefferson only won two parishes, Orleans Parish and East Carroll Parish. Democratic candidates cumulatively won 33.89% of the vote.

First voting round, October 23

Runoff did not occur due to Foster winning outright

Sources