Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is expected to be re-elected to his second four-year term Saturday in the state’s open primary voting.
Jindal, a Republican, was favored by 57% of voters surveyed in a recent poll commissioned by WWL-TV, a New Orleans television station. Pollsters interviewed 602 likely voters in early October.
The nine other candidates received a combined total of 15% support from those polled, with 29% saying they were undecided. Jindal’s opponents include four Democrats, a Libertarian, and four with no declared affiliation.
If Jindal wins a majority of the votes Saturday, he would not face an opponent in the Nov. 19 general election. If no candidate wins 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters would be on November’s ballot.
State Treasurer John Kennedy will be re-elected without opposition to his fourth term.
The open-primary system is used in all local, state, and congressional elections in Louisiana.
Campaign finance reports filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics show Jindal has spent a total of $2 million so far, mostly on advertising.
Jindal was elected governor in the 2007 primary election with 54% of the vote.
Secretary of State Tom Schedler said he expects a turnout of 35% to 40% of Louisiana’s 2.8 million registered voters.
House Speaker Jim Tucker, who could not seek re-election to the Legislature due to term limitations, is facing Schedler in the primary for the secretary of state post.
Lieut. Gov. Jay Dardenne is facing a re-election challenge from Billy Nungesser, president of Plaquemines Parish.