Louisiana’s Democratic U.S. Senate candidates face steep challenge beyond surviving runoff

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Nick Albares ran a close third in the Louisiana Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and has until Tuesday (May 19) to decide whether to seek a recount. He finished less than 300 votes short of making a June runoff.

Though many Democrats voted in Saturday’s primary, political analysts still think the general election race to replace Sen. Bill Cassidy will be the Republican candidate’s to lose.

Political newcomer Jamie Davis finished first in the Democratic primary with 47.4% of the vote. Gary Crockett placed second, making the runoff with 26.3% of the vote. Albares came in third at 26.2% and must now decide whether to finance a recount.

“We are going to talk to our team. We’re going to look at every angle,” Albares told Fox 8 on Saturday night.

Davis received 163,507 votes, just 16,000 shy of what Rep. Julia Letlow pulled in leading the Republican primary.

“He (Jamie Davis) didn’t spend a lot of money, hardly any money at all,” Dillard University political analyst Dr. Robert Collins said. “He didn’t go on television or have any radio ads or anything like that.”

But Collins predicted that even if Davis wins the June 27 Democratic runoff, he will have a tough time in the November general election.

“I don’t see any path forward for him right now, just realistically,” Collins said. “It’s a red state, and he’s going to be running against a very well-known public official that’s going to have millions of dollars and the endorsement of the president of the United States.”

Albares has until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to seek a recount, but it could be expensive — up to $750 in each parish where a recount is sought, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

“Any candidate can request a recount, but you have to pay for it,” Collins said.

Fox 8 asked the Albares campaign if a recount will be requested, but has not received a response.

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