Republican newcomer defeats Democrat in Louisiana mayoral upset

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In a surprising political upset, Republican newcomer Emile “Sid” Edwards has defeated Democratic incumbent Sharon Weston Broome in the East Baton Rouge Parish mayor-president race, marking a significant shift in one of Louisiana’s predominantly Democratic regions.

Emile 'Sid' Edwards wins East Baton Rouge Parish mayoral race https://t.co/umapUL5j5r pic.twitter.com/fRJCL5A54z

— BRProud (@BRProudNews) December 8, 2024

The contentious election began with eight candidates competing in the open primary, including two-term incumbent Weston Broome and first-time politician Edwards. During the campaign, tensions escalated when Weston Broome released a controversial advertisement suggesting racist and sexist undertones about fellow Democrat Ted James, who later endorsed her alongside former Governor John Bel Edwards.

Emile "Sid" Edwards, a Republican and political newcomer, has unseated two-term Democratic Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome in the East Baton Rouge runoff. Edwards secured a 54%-46% victory in a campaign centered on crime and infrastructure, with a 35.7% voter turnout. pic.twitter.com/d2IcrPVQA4

— Evoclique (@Evoclique_) December 9, 2024

Despite strong Democratic party support for Weston Broome, Edwards emerged victorious in the December 7 runoff with 54% of the vote to Weston Broome’s 46%.

“This is a movie. I mean you couldn’t make this up,” Edwards declared at his victory celebration, according to WWNO. “It’s God-anointed. This was a God-driven campaign, and it will be a God-driven administration.”

The 61-year-old mayor-president-elect’s campaign focused on addressing rising crime and homelessness in Baton Rouge, where homicide rates are approaching record levels. His platform includes expanding the police force by 100 officers and implementing a unique grocery distribution program through local high schools.

“We are the change agent,” Edwards stated. “We’re not saying that everything has been bad in Baton Rouge. We never said that. But there’s some things that need to change, and as my promise to you, as the next mayor-president, it’s going to happen.”

Weston Broome, 68, a veteran politician and former television journalist, graciously conceded, stating, “I may no longer be leading from the mayor’s office, but I promise you this, I will continue to lead from wherever I am called. I started this journey many, many years ago, as you know, and I have no regrets, none whatsoever.”

This Republican victory is particularly noteworthy in East Baton Rouge, which stands as one of Louisiana’s few Democratic strongholds. While Donald Trump dominated the state with 60% of the vote, East Baton Rouge favored Kamala Harris by a significant margin of 54.5% to Trump’s 43.4%.