re: Can you guys explain to me (a Mississippian) how Louisiana has a Democratic Gov?

JBE campaigned as a conservative democrat (pro-life, pro-guns, family values, ect). Vitter made it out of the jungle primary, but his negative campaign caused both other republicans to either endorse JBE or refuse to support Vitter. Vitter also refused to debate in the primary and never got out in front of the hooker scandal. By the time the general election rolled around, JBE had framed the election as a morality play. There was Vitter, a cereal philanderer who had taken phone calls from prostitutes rather than vote on a bill for veterans benefits, verses a West Point graduate and Army Ranger with an attractive loving family. JBE managed to hide the fact that he was a tax and spend liberal because the entire campaign was made to be about social issues.

Vitter's proposed tort reforms hacked off the trial lawyers, so they all broke for JBE.

JBE's family ties to the sheriff's association got him endorsements from all of the state law enforcement unions and agencies.

JBE's wife, who is a teacher, got him the teacher's union. JBE also lied and said he would protect charter schools, which kept many liberal New Orleanians, who send their kids to schools like Lusher, from defecting.

Vitter wanted to gut state government even more than Jindal did, so the state employees voted for JBE out of fear.

Add together every state employee, every teacher, every trial lawyer, every peace officer, every African American, and a sizeable chunk of evangelicals and you have an electoral majority. JBE rode that coalition to the Governor's mansion, but his honeymoon phase has already ended. He will face stiff opposition in 2019, likely from the state's attorney general, and former Tea Party Congressman, Jeff Landry.