Democrat Edwin Edwards resoundingly defeated former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke on Saturday, reclaiming the governorship he had lost in disgrace. The election riveted national attention on Louisiana, where many voters saw the contest as a tragic choice between a racist and a rogue.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Edwards had 1,061,233 votes, or 61 percent, to Duke's 681,278 votes, or 39 percent.Duke, a Republican state representative, was repudiated by most state and national GOP leaders, including President Bush, because of his white supremacist background. In addition to leading the Klan, he at one time publicly embraced Nazi ideology.
Edwards, claiming victory before jubilant supporters at his headquarters, declared, "Tonight, Louisiana became first, first to turn back the merchant of hate, the master of deceit.
"Tonight is the first night of our journey to decency, to honesty, to fairness, to justice, to respect, to honor and to hard work.
"I will make our people proud of our state, proud of our governor," added Edwards, who will be serving an unprecedented fourth term. His first three terms were marked with scandal, including his trial on federal corruption charges. He was acquitted.
Duke conceded with a call for his supporters to pray for Edwards.
"We lost, but the message goes out loud and clear across Louisiana and this whole country," he told disappointed but cheering campaign workers at his Baton Rouge headquarters. "We have to begin to heal the liberal welfare system that is causing crime and drugs.
"Right doesn't win every battle, but right always triumphs in the end," he added.
Speaking of his future in politics, Duke, whose term in the Legislature expires this year, said, "I have no plans - no plans to run for any other office. But I have to say `at this time.' " There has been speculation he might run for Congress, the Senate, or challenge Bush in some presidential primaries next year.
More than a 72 percent turnout of 2.2 million registered voters had been expected, election officials said. A record number of absentee votes was cast - nearly 78,000.
Edwards captured majorities of the vote in areas where Duke had to do well, including parishes - Louisiana's equivalent of counties - taken by Duke in the Oct. 19 primary. In the largest parishes, Orleans and East Baton Rouge, Edwards swamped Duke.
Duke also lost his home parish of Jefferson. In majority-black Orleans parish, which includes the city of New Orleans, Edwards had 41,087 votes in partial returns to Duke's 5,336.
Both Duke and Edwards had tried to convince voters they had reformed, abandoned their past and atoned for earlier indiscretions.
The campaign, with its explosive racial and political implications, drew attention around the world - and sent ripples of fear throughout the nation, especially among blacks, Jews and Republicans.
Edwards, contrite and repentant and not nearly as flashy these days, found himself the recipient of a rare gift in politics: a second chance.
The 64-year-old French-speaking Cajun, renowned for his wheelings, dealings, womanizing, gambling and colorful quips, said his campaign to reclaim the governor's mansion was a mission to recast his place in history, to rehabilitate his disgraced image.
"To have gone through all I've suffered through look realistically at an opportunity to be re-elected governor, I can't tell you how much it means to me," Edwards said. "At my age I have a more important goal and that is to be a good governor and leave a good record."
Always a favorite of labor, blacks and New Deal Democrats, Edwards drew added support from business leaders, environmentalists and reform-minded Republicans fearful of a Duke victory.
For once, Edwards found himself the "good guy" in a race.
"I never dreamed I'd have this opportunity," he said. "I'm going to use this opportunity to leave the kind of legacy I want to leave."