1999 Louisiana gubernatorial election

The 1999 Louisiana gubernatorial election was held on October 23, 1999, incumbent Republican Mike Foster won reelection to a second term as governor of Louisiana becoming the first Republican to ever do so.

1999 Louisiana gubernatorial election

← 1995 October 23, 1999 2003 →

Nominee Mike Foster Bill Jefferson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 805,203 382,445 Percentage 62.17% 29.53%

Parish results Foster:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Jefferson:      40–50%      60–70%

Governor before election Mike Foster Republican Elected Governor Mike Foster Republican

In 1999 all elections in Louisiana—with the exception of U.S. presidential elections—followed a variation of the open primary system called the jungle primary (the system has since been abandoned for all federal elections between 2008 and 2010, but has remained in use for state and local elections). Candidates of any and all parties are listed on one ballot; voters need not limit themselves to the candidates of one party. Unless one candidate takes more than 50% of the vote in the first round, a runoff election is then held between the top two candidates, who may in fact be members of the same party.[2] In this election, the first round of voting was held on October 23, 1999. Since Foster won over 50% of the vote, the runoff, which would have been held November 20, 1999, was canceled. Foster was the first Republican in Louisiana to win a second gubernatorial term.

The only parishes carried by Jefferson were his home of Orleans and East Carroll, where Jefferson's birthplace, Lake Providence serves as the parish seat.