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 Parish results Long: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Jones: 50–60% 60–70% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The1948 Louisiana gubernatorial election was decided by a Democratic primary held in two rounds on January 20 and February 24, 1948, which was tantamount to election. The 1948 election saw the defeat of Louisiana's reformer "anti-Long"faction and the election ofEarl Kemp Long to his first full term as governor.
Like mostSouthern states between theReconstruction Era and theCivil Rights Movement,Louisiana'sRepublican Party was virtually nonexistent in terms of electoral support. This meant that the twoDemocratic Party primaries held on these dates were the real contest over who would begovernor.
Under Louisiana's constitution, incumbent governorJimmie Davis could not succeed himself in a consecutive term.
Louisiana's reformist anti-Long faction supportedSam H. Jones, who had been governor from 1940 to 1944. Jones was endorsed by outgoing Governor Davis and high-profile Louisiana politicians, such as SenatorJohn H. Overton andMayordeLesseps Story Morrison Sr. ofNew Orleans, who controlled the city's powerful Crescent City Democratic Association. Jones's reform campaign was weakened by reminders of unethical deals and heavy-handed political tactics in his previous term and by the electorate's lack of enthusiasm for reform governors after eight years.
Sam Jones's main opponent was Long, who had been governor in 1939–40 and the inheritor of his brotherHuey Long's Longite political faction. Funded by politicians, oil and gas money, and contributions from organized crime in the New Orleans area, Long ran a theatrical and entertaining campaign, making stump speeches that were a mix of political harangue and humorous anecdotes. His platform called for the elimination of Jones'scivil service, the doubling of state spending on programs like pensions, school lunches, charity hospitals and asylums, new trade schools, pay increases for teachers, an increased homestead tax exemption, and bonuses for veterans of World War II. Through payoffs and promises of support, Long managed to gain the backing of powerful former enemies, State SenatorDudley LeBlanc, former GovernorJimmie Noe, andU.S. RepresentativeF. Edward Hebert.
Robert F. Kennon drew most of his support fromNorth Louisiana and reformers disillusioned with Jones.Jimmy Morrison (no relation to Mayor Morrison) was supported by former New Orleans mayorRobert Maestri and hisOld Regular political machine and finished in fourth place.
Jimmy Morrison was able to carryEast Baton Rouge and several parishes in vicinity of his home region. Kennon wonShreveport'sCaddo Parish and attracted some support in the rest of northern Louisiana. Support fromdeLesseps Morrison's machine allowed Jones to win inNew Orleans, and respectable support from sections of the rest of the state sent him into the runoff round with Long. But Long's victories in most parishes in both northern and southern parts of the state gave him a commanding lead going into the second round.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Earl K. Long | 267,253 | 41.51% | |
| Democratic | Sam H. Jones | 147,329 | 22.88% | |
| Democratic | Robert F. Kennon | 127,569 | 19.81% | |
| Democratic | Jimmy Morrison | 101,754 | 15.80% | |
| Total votes | 643,905 | 100.00% | ||
In the runoff, the Old Regulars threw their support behind Long. With his longtime enemies were supporting Long, Mayor Morrison stepped up his campaigning for Jones and began a feud with Long that would last until Long's death in 1960.
The runoff election saw Long elected to the governor's office with an overwhelming majority. Of Louisiana's 64 parishes, onlyEast Baton Rouge andWest Feliciana went for Jones. Jones even lost his home base ofCalcasieu Parish. He did not seek the governorship again.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Earl K. Long | 432,528 | 65.88% | |
| Democratic | Sam H. Jones | 223,971 | 34.12% | |
| Total votes | 656,499 | 100.00% | ||
