The 2016 United States Senate election in Louisiana took place on November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Louisiana, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.
Under Louisiana's "jungle primary" system, all candidates appeared on the same ballot, regardless of party, and voters could vote for any candidate. Since no candidate received a majority of the vote during the primary election, a runoff election was held on December 10 between the top two candidates in the primary, Republican John Neely Kennedy and Democrat Foster Campbell, where Kennedy won with 60.65% of the vote, giving Senate Republicans 52 seats in the 115th Congress. Louisiana is the only state that has a jungle primary system (California and Washington have a similar "top two primary" system). Kennedy had previously unsuccessfully ran for this seat in 2004 as a Democrat and the state's other U.S. Senate seat in 2008 as a Republican.
Incumbent Republican Senator David Vitter unsuccessfully ran for governor of Louisiana in 2015, and in his concession speech he announced that he would not seek re-election to the Senate in 2016.
In addition to Kennedy and Campbell, four other candidates — Republicans Charles Boustany, John Fleming, and David Duke, and Democrat Caroline Fayard — qualified to participate at a debate at Dillard University, a historically black college, on November 2, 2016 This election is the most recent United States Senate runoff election in Louisiana as of 2024.
Candidates
Republican Party
Declared Charles Boustany, U.S. representative Joseph Cao, former U.S. representative and candidate for Louisiana attorney general in 2011 Donald "Crawdaddy" Crawford, business appraiser David Duke, former state representative, former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan and perennial candidate John Fleming, U.S. representative John Neely Kennedy, state treasurer, Democratic candidate for this seat in 2004 and nominee for the U.S. Senate Class 2 in 2008 Rob Maness, retired United States Air Force colonel, and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 Charles Eugene Marsala, financial advisor and former mayor of Atherton, California
Withdrew Abhay Patel, businessman
Declined Scott Angelle, Public Service commissioner, former lieutenant governor of Louisiana, and candidate for governor in 2015 (running for LA-03) Jay Dardenne, Louisiana commissioner of Administration, former lieutenant governor of Louisiana and candidate for governor in 2015 Zach Dasher, pharmaceutical representative, cousin of the Robertson family and candidate for LA-05 in 2014 Brett Geymann, former state representative (running for LA-03) Clay Higgins, former St. Landry Parish sheriff's captain (running for LA-03) Paul Hollis, state representative and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 Bobby Jindal, former governor of Louisiana Vance McAllister, former U.S. representative and candidate for the state senate in 2015 Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, former state representative and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2002 Melinda Schwegmann, former lieutenant governor of Louisiana, former state representative, and candidate for governor in 1995 Eric Skrmetta, Public Service Commissioner David Vitter, incumbent U.S. senator and nominee for governor in 2015 John Young, former president of Jefferson Parish and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2015
Democratic Party
Declared Foster Campbell, Public Service commissioner, former state senator, candidate for governor in 2007 and for LA-04 in 1980, 1988 and 1990 Derrick Edwards, attorney and disability rights activist Caroline Fayard, attorney and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2010 Gary Landrieu, building contractor, candidate for the New Orleans City Council in 2012, candidate for LA-02 in 2012 and 2014 and cousin of former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu Vinny Mendoza, USAF Ret. Veteran, organic farmer and 1st CD candidate in 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014, Josh Pellerin, businessman Peter Williams, tree farmer, candidate for LA-06 in 2014 and Independent candidate for LA-05 in 2013
Declined Jim Bernhard, president of Bernhard Capital Partners, founder and former CEO of The Shaw Group and former chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party Don Cazayoux, former U.S. representative and former United States attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana John Georges, businessman, candidate for governor in 2007 and candidate for mayor of New Orleans in 2010 Kip Holden, mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2015 (running for LA-02) Robert Johnson, state representative and candidate for LA-05 in 2013 Eric LaFleur, state senator Mary Landrieu, former U.S. senator Mitch Landrieu, mayor of New Orleans and former lieutenant governor of Louisiana Charlie Melancon, former U.S. representative and nominee in 2010 Jacques Roy, mayor of Alexandria Gary Smith, Jr., state senator
Libertarian Party
Declared Thomas Clements, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 (also ran for president of the United States) Le Roy Gillam, minister
Independents
Declared Beryl Billiot, restaurateur and candidate for governor in 2015 Troy Hebert, former commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and former state senator Bob Lang, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and candidate for governor in 2011 Kaitlin Marone, stand-up comedian Gregory Taylor, unemployed janitor Arden Wells, perennial candidate
Jungle primary
Debates Dates Location Kennedy Campbell Boustany Fayard Fleming Duke LinkOctober 18, 2016Ruston, LouisianaParticipantParticipantParticipantParticipantParticipantNot invitedFull debateNovember 2, 2016New Orleans, LouisianaParticipantParticipantParticipantParticipantParticipantParticipantFull debate
Endorsements
Polling
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror CharlesBoustany (R) FosterCampbell (D) DavidDuke (R) CarolineFayard (D) JohnFleming (R) JohnKennedy (R) RobManess (R) Other UndecidedSurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey November 1–7, 2016 982 ± 4.6% 14% 13% 3% 21% 12% 21% 6% 4% 6%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 31 – November 6, 2016 840 ± 4.6% 15% 14% 3% 20% 11% 21% 6% 5% 5%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 28 – November 3, 2016 646 ± 4.6% 15% 14% 3% 19% 11% 21% 5% 4% 8%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 27 – November 2, 2016 546 ± 4.6% 13% 13% 3% 21% 12% 21% 5% 4% 8%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 26 – November 1, 2016 470 ± 4.6% 13% 13% 2% 21% 12% 23% 4% 3% 9%Southern Media and Opinion ResearchSouthern Media and Opinion Research October 19–21, 2016 500 ± 4.4% 14% 16% — 12% 9% 22% — — 27%The Times-Picayune/LucidThe Times-Picayune/Lucid October 15–21, 2016 614 ± 3.0% 12% 17% 4% 12% 10% 18% 4% 7% 17%University of New OrleansUniversity of New Orleans October 15–21, 2016 603 ± 4.0% 15% 15% 2% 10% 11% 22% 4% 9% 12%FOX 8/Mason-DixonFOX 8/Mason-Dixon October 20, 2016 625 ± 4.0% 11% 19% 5% 12% 10% 24% 3% 3% 13%Market Research InsightMarket Research Insight October 17–19, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 16% 14% — 12% 7%17% — — 34%JMC Analytics (R)JMC Analytics (R) October 11–15, 2016 800 ± 3.5% 16% 25% 3% 10% 16% 16% 3% 2% 10%JMC Analytics (R)JMC Analytics (R) September 22–24, 2016 905 ± 3.3% 15% 15% 3% 12% 14% 11% 4% 1% 25%Market Research Insight September 17–19, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 12% 10% — 11% 10% 18% — — 39%Southern Media and Opinion ResearchSouthern Media and Opinion Research September 15–17, 2016 500 ± 4.4% 15% 9% 3% 11% 8% 17% 3% 7% 26%Anzalone Liszt Grove Research (D)Anzalone Liszt Grove Research (D) August 29 – September 1, 2016 605 ± 4.0% 13% 7% 3% 13% 6% 18% 4% 5% 31%The Hayride/Remington ResearchThe Hayride/Remington Research August 29–30, 2016 1,017 ± 3.2% 13% 16% 6% 12% 6% 27% 4% — 15%GBA StrategiesGBA Strategies June 6–9, 2016 500 ± 4.4% 11% 15% — 14% 9% 30% 6% 12% 2%Anzalone Liszt Grove ResearchAnzalone Liszt Grove Research May 31 – June 2, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 11% 14% — 9% 7% 24% 3% – 33%Southern Media and Opinion ResearchSouthern Media and Opinion Research May 19–23, 2016 500 ± 4.4% 10% 9% — 4% 5% 32% 4% 3% 32%SurveyUSASurveyUSA March 4–8, 2016 600 ± 4.1% 10% 12% — 10% 7% 21% 6% 12% 15%Southern Media and Opinion ResearchSouthern Media and Opinion Research February 2–4, 2016 500 ± 4.4% 10% 7% — 4% 6% 22% 7% — 30%SurveyUSASurveyUSA December 4–7, 2015 600 ± 4.1% 10% 23% — – 6% 21% 9% — 19%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize error Scott Charles John John Mitch UndecidedMRIMRI 600 ± 4.1% 24% 15% 5% 15% 30% 11%NSO Research (R-Kennedy) 600 ± 4% – 13% 7% 18% 39% 23%
Results
Maps
Runoff
Polling
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnKennedy (R) FosterCampbell (D) UndecidedUniversity of New OrleansUniversity of New Orleans December 6, 2016 776 62% 33% 5%Trafalgar Group (R)Trafalgar Group (R) December 5–6, 2016 2,500 56% 40% 4%Emerson CollegeEmerson College November 29–30, 2016 400 51% 33% 16%Southern Media and Opinion ResearchSouthern Media and Opinion Research November 28–30, 2016 500 52% 38% 10%Tulane UniversityTulane University November 8–18, 2016 820 60% 40% 0%Trafalgar Group (R)Trafalgar Group (R) November 14–17, 2016 2,200 58% 35% 6%The Hayride/Remington Research August 29–30, 2016 1,017 51% 27% 22%SurveyUSASurveyUSA March 4–8, 2016 600 54% 34% 12%
Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize error JohnNeelyKennedy (R) CarolineFayard (D) UndecidedAnzalone Liszt Grove ResearchAnzalone Liszt Grove Research August 29–September 1, 2016 605 ± 4.0% 49% 38% 13%SurveyUSA March 4–8, 2016 600 54% 34% 12%
Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize error DavidDuke (R) CarolineFayard (D) UndecidedAnzalone Liszt Grove Research August 29–September 1, 2016 605 ± 4.0% 15% 64% 21%
Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize error CharlesBoustany (R) JohnNeelyKennedy (R) UndecidedSurveyUSA March 4–8, 2016 600 22% 50% 27%
Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize error CharlesBoustany (R) CarolineFayard (D) UndecidedAnzalone Liszt Grove Research August 29–September 1, 2016 605 ± 4.0% 40% 43% 17%
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 2, 2016 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 7, 2016 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2016 Daily Kos November 8, 2016 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2016
Results
Parishes that flipped from Republican to Democratic East Baton Rouge (largest city: Baton Rouge) Tensas (largest city: Newellton) Madison (largest town: Tallulah)
Parishes that flipped from Democratic to Republican Assumption (largest city: Pierrer Part) Pointe Coupee (largest city: New Roads)
By congressional district Kennedy won five of six congressional districts. District Kennedy Campbell Representative 75% 25%Steve Scalise 24% 76%Cedric Richmond 72% 28%Clay Higgins 62% 38%Mike Johnson 65% 35%Ralph Abraham 66% 34%Garret Graves
References Additional candidates
External links John Kennedy (R) for Senate Foster Campbell (D) for Senate