Has Shawn Wilson Given Up? Experts Blame 'limited coordination' For Low Voter Turnout
With election day drawing nearer, dismal polling and below-average voter turnout among black voters in particular has the Democrats in Louisiana looking rather nervous today.
“Democratic turnout has been weak,” Louisiana-based pollster John Couvillon told The Hill, “Normally, early voting tends to favor Democrats, and Republicans as of Saturday night cumulatively have a plus-5 lead.”
The outlet wrote, “Experts are pointing to weaker polling among Black voters and limited coordination between the campaign and state party as among some of the causes for concern for Democrats in the gubernatorial race.”
In short terms, the ground game has always been where Democrat campaigns have shone, but not this time. The Wilson campaign’s collaboration with local Democrats is reportedly non-existent
The Vice President for policy, strategic partnerships and development with the Louisiana Urban League, Tyronne Walker claimed to The Hill that while there isn’t any denying that black voter turnout is nowhere near where they’d like it to be. However, he stressed that there are historical barriers that mustn’t be overlooked, espousing the concept of systemic racism. “We have to recognize that we live in a country that has had centuries of systematic, well-designed barriers that are intended to disenfranchise African Americans and other marginalized communities, and those barriers still exist,” he said.
Cliff Albright co-founder of Black Voters Matter told the outlet, “There’s really no discussion, and more importantly, very little lack of investment in voter mobilization,” Adding. “That includes the party itself not putting a lot into this election, which, unfortunately, is a pattern that we’re seeing in Southern states in general and particularly in states that have Black candidates.”
With the powerful endorsement of Donald Trump on his side, a bountiful warchest and growing excitement in his favor, Landry’s course to the Governor’s mansion seems sure. Especially if, as The Hill suggests: Wilson isn’t showing up for the fight.
The Wilson campaign has claimed that the gubernatorial hopeful has been “doing voter outreach” to its Democrat base adding “he’s been on the airwaves in every media market, has been doing outreach in churches and has taken part in interviews on Black-owned radio shows,” according to The Hill.
· “Since March, Shawn Wilson has traveled more than 45,000 miles meeting with communities across Louisiana to talk about what is at stake this election, up and down the ballot,” Wilson campaign manager Brandin Campbell said in a statement.
“His work ethic and commitment to all Louisianans has earned him the support of elected leaders, community advocates, and a strong coalition of allies who understand this is an all-hands-on-deck effort to take on Jeff Landry in the runoff and elect the most qualified slate of candidates to move Louisiana forward,” he added.
One way or another, the dismal voter turnout for Wilson so far is telling. NOLA.com reported, “A total of 344,878 people cast votes in the early-voting period that started Sept. 30 and ended Oct. 7, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, not counting several thousand absentee ballots that are expected to keep trickling in. That’s an 8% dip from early votes cast in the 2019”
“That to me is kind of indicative, using real numbers as opposed to touchy-feely talk, of what I see as a lower wattage, lower-interest election,” Couvillon told NOLA.