1916 Louisiana gubernatorial election

The 1916 Louisiana gubernatorial election was held on April 18, 1916. Like most Southern states between the Reconstruction Era and the Civil Rights Movement, Louisiana's Republican Party was virtually nonexistent in terms of electoral support. This meant that the Democratic Party primary held on January 25 was supposed to be the real contest over who would be governor. However, in this particular election Progressive Party nominee John M. Parker ran an unusually competitive campaign, garnering 37% of the general election vote. The election resulted in the election of Democrat Ruffin G. Pleasant as governor of Louisiana.

1916 Louisiana gubernatorial election

April 18, 1916

Nominee Ruffin G. Pleasant John M. Parker Party Democratic Progressive Popular vote 80,807 48,085 Percentage 62.51% 37.50%

Parish Results Blanchard:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90% Parker:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Governor before election Luther E. Hall Democratic Elected Governor Ruffin G. Pleasant Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Thomas C. Barret, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
• Ruffin G. Pleasant, Attorney General of Louisiana

Democratic Party Primary, January 25

Candidate	Votes received	Percent
Ruffin G. Pleasant	84,407	73.71%
Thomas C. Barret	30,112	26.29%

General election

Candidates

• Horace Noonan (Independent)
• John M. Parker, president of the New Orleans Cotton Exchange (Progressive)
• Ruffin G. Pleasant, Attorney General of Louisiana (Democratic)

General Election, April 18

Party	Candidate	Votes received	Percent
Democratic	Ruffin G. Pleasant	80,807	62.51%
Progressive	John M. Parker	48,085	37.20%
Independent	Horace Noonan	357	0.28%

References

Preceded by 1912 gubernatorial election

Louisiana gubernatorial elections

Succeeded by 1920 gubernatorial election