Davis holds lead in Louisiana vote
New Orleans, Louisiana (UP) –
Tabulation of more than half the votes in the Louisiana Democratic gubernatorial primary indicated today that a runoff will be necessary to decide the state’s next governor.
James H. “Jimmie” Davis, hillbilly songwriter of Shreveport, held a lead of almost 10,000 votes over his machine-backed opponent, Lewis L. Morgan of Covington, in returns from 1,002 of the state’s 1,867 precincts. Those districts gave Davis 97,157 votes to Morgan’s 87,953.
Davis took the lead yesterday afternoon when returns from the rural areas overcame Morgan’s early margin, built up by the machine vote from New Orleans.
Earl K. Long, a brother of the late Huey Long, was leading the race for lieutenant governor and had almost attained a majority.