In the 1979 Louisiana gubernatorial race, Republican Dave Treen secured a spot in the runoff against Democratic candidate Louis Lambert, of Gonzales. Surprisingly, many Democratic officials chose to endorse Treen over their own party’s candidate in the runoff. This included prominent figures such as Lt. Gov. Jimmy Fitzmorris, Secretary of State Paul Hardy, and House Speaker E.L. “Bubba” Henry.
The decision by these Democrats to support Treen over Lambert showcased a division within the Democratic party and highlighted Treen’s ability to appeal to a wide range of voters across party lines. Treen’s success in securing endorsements from prominent Democrats could be attributed to his moderate political stance and reputation for being a unifying figure in Louisiana politics.
The 1979 gubernatorial race was a highly contested and competitive election, with Treen ultimately emerging as the winner. His ability to garner support from both Republicans and Democrats solidified his position as a popular and respected figure in Louisiana politics. Treen’s victory in the race marked a significant moment in the state’s political history and demonstrated the importance of bipartisanship in reaching across party lines to achieve success in elections.
Overall, the endorsements of Treen by prominent Democratic officials in the 1979 gubernatorial runoff reflected the changing political landscape in Louisiana and the willingness of politicians to set aside party affiliations in favor of supporting a candidate they believed was best suited for the job.
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