Sun Dec 08 05:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Upset Victory for Edwards in Baton Rouge Mayor’s Race
**Baton Rouge, LA (December 7, 2024)** – In a stunning upset, Republican Sid Edwards defeated incumbent Democrat Sharon Weston Broome in the East Baton Rouge Parish mayor-president race. Edwards, a first-time candidate and high school football coach, secured 54% of the vote to Broome’s 46%, marking the first Republican victory in the position since 2000.
Edwards, celebrating with supporters at White Oaks Estate and Gardens, expressed disbelief and attributed his win to divine intervention. Broome conceded the race gracefully, offering her well wishes to Edwards and pledging continued service to the community.
The election saw low voter turnout, particularly in areas that traditionally support Broome. Councilmember Carolyn Coleman attributed this to a lack of awareness about the runoff election. Despite this, the results were decisive.
Elsewhere in the parish, several other key races concluded:
* **Metro Council:** Brandon Noel (Republican) and Anthony Kenney secured victories in their respective races.
* **St. George:** Voters overwhelmingly approved (79% to 21%) the transfer of sales taxes to the newly formed city, ensuring its financial stability. Mayor Dustin Yates celebrated this as a huge vote of confidence.
* **Plaquemine:** Independent candidate JB Barker won the mayoral race.
* **Livingston Parish:** Voters rejected a measure allowing the Parish Council to hire its own legal counsel and a property tax renewal for recreation services failed. However, a sales tax renewal for flood prevention projects passed.
* **Gonzales:** Tim Riley was elected mayor, and Sherman Jackson secured the police chief position.
The election also included several state constitutional amendments and other local races, the results of which are available at [link to full results]. The unexpected outcome of the mayor’s race has left Baton Rouge anticipating a significant shift in leadership under its new, politically inexperienced mayor.
First Piper 