On Saturday, Republicans won a massive victory by winning their first gubernatorial election in the state since 2011 when the state’s attorney general Jeff Landry beat his Democrat opponent. This victory is even more impressive that he won over 50 percent of the vote and managed to avoid a run-off. On Sunday morning, ABC’s Good Morning America, and NBC’s Sunday Today ignored this Republican win.
Instead of reporting on Landry’s victory, the networks wasted valuable airtime with news of Best Buy discontinuing the sale of DVDs (ABC), and an interview with Taylor Swift’s manager Jack Antonoff (NBC).
According to a report from The Daily Caller, Landry was backed by former President Donald Trump and will succeed “Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, who did not seek re-election due to term limits.”
“Landry avoided a runoff under Louisiana’s “jungle primary” system by receiving more than half the votes, the outlet reported,” The Caller reported.
“Runoffs are typical in the state. The last time a runoff did not occur was when Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal was elected in 2007 and 2011.”
When it comes to substance, Landry appears to be a solid constitutional conservative.
“The 52-year-old governor-elect supports conservative Louisiana laws including abortion restrictions, laws against sexually explicit books in school libraries and the transgender puberty blockers and hormones ban for minors,” The Caller reported.
While people outside Louisiana might not care and wonder why the national newscasts should cover the election results, it’s important to know that state policy often has national implications.
Plus, if the election went the other direction, you can bet the networks would be all over this.