Opelousas Mayor Don Cravins Encourages Voters To Vote Twice

The Black Conservative Fund has released video of Opelousas Mayor Don Cravins, Sr.urging voters to head to the ballot box last November, even if they had already voted.

In the video, which is narrated by state Sen. Elbert Guillory and features footage taken Nov. 3 at the Charcoal Lounge on Academy Street in Opelousas, Cravins tells the crowd that voting "one more time's not going to hurt" and that if Earl Taylor is elected as district attorney, they'd be immune from prosecution.

Republicans across the state were quick to condemn the video. Former U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry, who now heads up the state GOP's voter integrity program, said the "Democrat machine has once again been exposed for its efforts to mislead, cheat, and steal when it comes to elections."

"All of us in Louisiana should be outraged by Mayor Cravins and the ilk who would commit voter fraud," Landry continued.

"These divisive tactics plagued our state's past in a time that Louisiana was known for Chicago style corruption," said State Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere. "Voter fraud is not a joking matter and to encourage voters to participate in it is reckless and irresponsible."

Cravins, though, refuted those claims from Republicans. In a telephone interview with KATC-TV 3, Cravins told the television station that his statement was taken completely out of context and was delivered as a joke.

The saying "if you voted early, go vote again tomorrow" is an old Louisiana political joke that's been around since the days of former Gov. Huey P. Long, Cravins said.

"I don't know how you respond to that besides Guillory is an antagonist who is trying to find his way into the Republican party at any way necessary," Cravins added.

Cravins is a former state senator, while his son is the chief of staff for incumbent U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu.