Republican Finishes 1st in Louisiana Senate Primary

Republican state Rep. Woody Jenkins, who opposes all abortions and wants to abolish the Internal Revenue Service, capped a remarkable surge Saturday by finishing first in Louisiana’s Senate primary. Former state Treasurer Mary Landrieu edged a fellow Democrat for the second spot in a November runoff.

Jenkins had appeared destined for a third-place finish as recently as a week ago, when polls suggested the GOP might be shut out of the runoff altogether.

Landrieu, who favors abortion rights, had long been considered the front-runner, and second place had seemed to belong to Democratic Atty. Gen. Richard Ieyoub. But Ieyoub lost ground recently under negative publicity over his use of campaign money.

Fifteen candidates in all competed to succeed Democratic Sen. J. Bennett Johnston, who is retiring after 24 years.

With 96% of precincts reporting, Jenkins had 307,233 votes, or 26%; Landrieu had 253,025 votes, or 21%; and Ieyoub had 239,254 votes or 20%. David Duke, the former Ku Klux Klan leader, was a distant fourth with 135,034 votes, or 11%.

Under Louisiana’s open primary system, which has been challenged in court, all candidates run on the same ballot regardless of party. With so many in the race, no one was expected to win the majority needed to avoid a Nov. 5 runoff.