re: Does anyone know anyone who voted for David Duke?

Yes… my grandpa. I know he hated Edwards. He also had a “Duke Country” sign in his yard… it had nothing to do with race if that’s what you’re asking. RIP

I must confess that I voted for him.

It was 1988 and Duke was not nearly as well known like he would in the coming years.

He ran in the Democratic Primary for POTUS that year as a very minor candidate. The rest of the field included Michael Dukakis (who got the nomination), Al Gore, Dick Gephardt, Paul Simon, and Jessie Jackson.

The Dems had an open primary at that time, but the Republican primary was closed (only Republicans could vote). I was a registered Independent and it was my first presidential election to vote in at the age of 20. I was excited to cast my vote!

I was fairly informed for my age, and had watched the Democratic debates. I didn’t like any of the Dems, so I cast a vote for the Duke in protest! I knew he had no chance to win.

Regarding Duke, in truth I knew almost nothing about him. People weren’t talking too much about him yet. I only knew he was somewhat controversial because I had seen him getting boos at Free Speech Alley at LSU.

I only found out later that he was in the KKK as the Grand Wizard!

I didn’t tell people about my vote for a long time because I was embarrassed! I didn’t realize that although I was right that he had no shot at winning, every vote for Duke confirmed for other states what they thought about Louisiana- that we were as racist as they thought we were!

In 1989, Duke claimed to have become a born again Christian. He said that he rejected his old racist ways, and he registered as a Republican.

In 1991, when he ran for Governor in a 3 way race with former Governor Edwin Edwards, and the Republican incumbent Governor Dave Treen, he had convinced many that we was no longer a racist, but only a realist and a conservative. His message was compelling to many, even though most saw right through him.

I was a Catholic High grad, and every year there is a Men’s Club gathering for men only, mostly grads, but any man could attend. It used to be called the “Stag Barbeque”.

That year during the governor’s race, both Edwin Edwards and David Duke showed up at the Stag BBQ! They had to ask Duke to leave because he brought a date with him!

But let me tell you, there were many people excited that he was there!

Edwards won the election and it wasn’t that close, but Republicans weren’t happy about having to vote for him to avoid Duke as Governor. Bumper stickers everywhere said, “Vote for the CROOK. It’s important! “

That’s a true story.

I did back in 1991. It was my first time voting. Looking on it now, I probably should've stayed home. He was actually a nice guy. Met him at Fulcos block party St Paddy's day. His "headquarters" was around the corner from there.