Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1979-11-02

Duration: 00:27:54

Subjects: Elections, 1979 | Louisiana gubernatorial election, 1979 | Political campaigns | Treen, David C., 1928-2009 | Fitzmorris, James E. (James Edward), 1921- | Hardy, Paul, 1942- | Henry, E. L. "Bubba" | LAMBERT, LOUIS | MOUTON, EDGAR G. "SONNY" | Electoral fraud | Electoral reform | LAWSUITS | Politics

Contributors:

• George, Beth Host
• Blome, Ron Host
• Irving, John Photographer
• Mundinger, Lewis Photographer
• Fourrier, Clay Photographer
• Godoy, Al Photographer
• Blome, Ron Reporter
• Blome, Ron Editor
• George, Beth Producer
• Gates, Bob Director
• Henry, Bubba Speaker
• Treen, Dave Speaker
• Fitzmorris, Jimmy Speaker
• Lambert, Louis Speaker
• Guste, William Speaker
• Blackmon, Carmack Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from November 2, 1979, features an in-depth report on the results of the primary for the 1979 gubernatorial election, which was won by Congressman Dave Treen, but too-close-to call for the second run-off spot between Public Service Commission Chairman Louis Lambert and Lieutenant Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris. The week’s events include: on election night, the concession of three candidates, State Senator Sonny Mouton, Speaker of the House Bubba Henry, and Secretary of State Paul Hardy and speeches made by Treen, Fitzmorris, and Lambert; on Monday, a Lambert press conference claiming the results are still too close to call; on Tuesday, a Fitzmorris press conference, the clerks of court around the state verifying the vote totals from the machines, and an interview with Treen discussing campaign strategies for both Lambert and Fitzmorris; on Wednesday, a Lambert press conference declaring victory for the second run-off spot and a press conference by Attorney General William Guste announcing the filing of a temporary restraining order so that the vote totals are not cleared from the voting machines; and on Friday, a press conference by Treen discussing the need for election reform and a press conference by Fitzmorris announcing the filing of a lawsuit to contest the election because of his concerns over voting irregularities.  This episode also features an interview with Carmack Blackmon, an Assistant Attorney General, to discuss the Fitzmorris lawsuit and its possible outcomes.