Early Poll Released For Louisiana’s Next Gubernatorial Election

Apparently it's never too early to start polling for Louisiana's next gubernatorial election.

The election won't happen for another three years, but pollster Verne Kennedy says he was commissioned to survey likely voters about who they'd vote for as Louisiana's next governor. Kennedy's poll - based on responses from over 600 likely voters - shows GOP Senator David Vitter and Democrat New Orleans businessman John Georges in a runoff. He says Vitter and Georges came out tied with 20% each.

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne drew 14%, John Kennedy 9%.  Of that speculated pack, Georges is the only Democrat. Kennedy said:

It would be very close. The results, obviously, show African-American voters as they responded to the survey. But you can pretty well predict that African-Americans will vote for the democrat but that will still result in a run-off.

Kennedy would not reveal who paid for the poll, but it's been reported Georges funded the survey. Some potential gubernatorial candidates were not tested like Ag Commissioner Mike Strain or Amite Rep. John Bel Edwards. Kennedy says it's not uncommon for candidates to get an early jump on polling.

Generally, people start looking at it maybe two years out but I have done surveys three years out in a number of states because if someone wants to look at it there is obviously a lot of preparation to do.