Louisiana almost went blue last night. When we say that, we mean a Democratic candidate, one who happens to be Black, came within striking distance of winning a statewide election in a state that has long been considered solidly Republican.
According to the results shown, Julia Letlow won with 50.88 percent of the vote, while Democrat Jamie Davis received 49.12 percent. That is a difference of just 25,857 votes.
Let that sink in . . .
We were not talking about a landslide. We are talking about a competitive race. We were talking about an election that came down to a narrow margin — a result that should force us to reconsider what we believe is possible in Louisiana.
For those of us who want to see this state change, last night's results were a reminder that Louisiana’s political landscape is not set in stone.
For those of us who have spent years believing that this state could look different, that the political landscape could change, and that Black leadership could finally have the opportunity to make history, last night's results were a reminder that what we have been told is impossible is not so impossible at all.
We came close. So close.
And that means we need to stop saying it cannot happen.
It can happen. But it will not happen simply because we want it to. It will happen because we organize, because we strategize, because we remain committed long before Election Day comes . . . and long after it has passed.
We have to be even more methodical. More intentional. More determined.
And we have to stop confusing cultural familiarity with political solidarity.
It’s true. We share food, traditions, and everyday experiences with white people in Louisiana, but that does not mean we also share the same political interests.
We dance to the same music. We say, “Yeah, baby!” We laugh together. We celebrate together. But none of that guarantees that we will stand together when the future of our communities is on the line.
We have to understand that.
We cannot build our political future around the expectation that people who have repeatedly voted against our interests will suddenly become our strongest allies. We cannot keep mistaking somebody's comfort with our culture for a commitment to our progress.
And we certainly cannot afford to spend another election cycle waiting for people to care about our future as much as we do.
We have to love us, love our children, and love our communities more than they hate us.
That is where this conversation begins.
And this is not about blaming white people. It is about recognizing that our political power cannot depend on the non-existent goodwill of people who have demonstrated, through their votes, that our interests are not their priority.
We have to be willing to build our own political power, support our own leadership, and hold every elected official accountable for what they do, not just what they say.
Because last night's results were not just a disappointment. They were a demonstration of what is possible.
Last night, we came close. That matters. But what matters even more is what we do next.
We have another opportunity in the upcoming gubernatorial election. We cannot afford to wait until the final weeks of the campaign to start talking about voter registration, turnout, political education, and organizing.
We need to be planning now.
We need to be identifying the communities where our votes can make a difference. We need to be building coalitions that are rooted in shared interests, not simply shared appearances. We need to be supporting candidates who understand the needs of our communities and who are willing to fight for them.
And we need to remember that elections are not won by outrage alone. They are won by organization.
Last night should have taught us that Louisiana is not beyond changing. And it should also have taught us that we cannot afford to be complacent.
And let us say this: we do not want to overlook the white voters who showed up and voted for change. We need you, too. We need you to remain committed and to understand that this state cannot continue down the same path and expect a different future. We may not be able to count on the majority of white voters to stand with us, but we must recognize and appreciate those who did. You helped bring us this close, and we need that same commitment in the next election. Because changing Louisiana is not just about who we vote against. It is about who we are willing to stand with to build something better.
Let's be honest and clear about what happened. The margin was under 25,900 votes. The overwhelming majority of white people who voted cast their votes for the Trump-backed Letlow. The overwhelming majority of Black voters backed Jamie Davis.
Last night’s results demonstrate that Black voters cannot build a winning coalition by relying on the vast majority of white voters to change their minds. We need to build a political movement that can sustain Black turnout, organize consistently, and welcome the white voters who are willing to stand with us.
And we cannot afford to assume that because we came close once, we will automatically come closer next time.
We cannot afford to sit out the next election. We cannot afford to wait until the last minute to organize. We have another opportunity to change Louisiana, and we need to start preparing now.
We have to make it happen.
We have to be more disciplined about our political engagement, more deliberate about our choices, and more committed to the long-term work of building power.
Because the question is no longer whether Louisiana can change.
The question is whether we are prepared to do what it takes to change it.
Somebody Has to Say It: We came too close last night to walk away without learning something.
We have another chance. Let's not waste it.