2008 Louisiana Democratic presidential primary explained

Election Name:2008 Louisiana Democratic presidential primary
Country:Louisiana
Flag Year:2006
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2004 Louisiana Democratic presidential primary
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2016 Louisiana Democratic presidential primary
Next Year:2016
Image1:Barack Obama Senate portrait crop.jpg
Candidate1:Barack Obama
Colour1:800080
Home State1:Illinois
Delegate Count1:33
Popular Vote1:220,632
Percentage1:57.40%
Candidate2:Hillary Clinton
Colour2:D4AA00
Home State2:New York
Delegate Count2:23
Popular Vote2:136,925
Percentage2:35.63%
Map Size:280px
Outgoing Members:UT
Elected Members:NE (caucus)

The 2008 Louisiana Democratic presidential primary took place on February 9, 2008, and had 56 delegates at stake. The winner in each of Louisiana's seven congressional districts was awarded all of that district's delegates, totaling 37. Another 29 delegates were awarded to the statewide winner, Barack Obama. The 56 delegates represented Louisiana at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Ten other unpledged delegates, known as superdelegates, also attended the convention and cast their votes as well.

Results

See also: Results of the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries. Source:[1]

2008 Louisiana Democratic Presidential Primary Results
PartyCandidateVotes PercentageDelegates
DemocraticBarack Obama220,632 57.40%33
DemocraticHillary Clinton136,925 35.63%23
Democratic13,026 3.39%0
Democratic6,178 1.61%0
Democratic4,257 1.11%0
Democratic1,924 0.50%0
Democratic1,404 0.37%0
Totals384,346100.00%56
Voter turnout%

Analysis

With its heavily African American population, Barack Obama solidly defeated Hillary Clinton in Louisiana. According to exit polls, 48 percent of voters in the Louisiana Democratic Primary were African Americans and they opted for Obama by a margin of 86-13 compared to the 47 percent of white voters who backed Clinton by a margin of 58-30. Obama won all age groups and educational attainment levels in Louisiana except senior citizens aged 65 and over and those who did not complete high school. Obama won voters who identified as Democrats and those who identified as Republicans as well as Independents and all ideological groups. Regarding religion, Obama won all major denominations, including Roman Catholics, a group that often strongly backed Clinton nationwide.

Obama did best in the more rural counties in Louisiana which are majority-African American. He also performed extremely well in the urban areas of New Orleans, Shreverport-Bossier City, and Lake Charles. Obama also performed extremely well in Cajun Country. Clinton did best in the areas north of New Orleans and east of Baton Rouge in the 1st Congressional District, which is among the most conservative in Louisiana and the South at large. She also performed well in rural counties in Central Louisiana and those along the Louisiana-Texas border that are majority white. John Edwards finished in third, securing only about 3.4% of the vote and no delegates.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Louisiana Primary Election Results - Election Guide 2008 - Results - The New York Times . 2024-01-10 . archive.nytimes.com.