Cary Deaton
Cary Deaton was a Democratic candidate for governor of Louisiana in the 2015 election.[1] Deaton was defeated in the blanket primary on October 24, 2015, by Democratic rival John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter, coming in fifth place overall.[2]
Deaton was also a Democratic candidate for governor of Louisiana in the 2011 election.[3] He lost to incumbent Republican Bobby Jindal in the October 22, 2011, primary election. He previously ran unsuccessfully for state attorney general in 1995, a seat in the U.S. House in 2000 and a U.S. Senate seat in 2010.[4]
Biography
Deaton was born in Columbus, Miss. He graduated from Archbishop Rummel High school, received a B.A. in political science from the University of New Orleans and earned a J.D. from Tulane Law School. He has worked as an attorney with Cary J. Deaton & Associates since 1987, specializing in intellectual property cases. He also handles some criminal defense and personal injury cases. In a recent interview, Deaton also said that he has assisted "pro-life activists" in litigation.[5][6]
In addition to his work in the private sector, Deaton has worked as an assistant district attorney in New Orleans and as an attorney in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.[5]
Education
- B.A., in political science, Louisiana State University (1974)
- J.D., Tulane Law School (1977)[7]
Elections
2015
- See also: Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2015
Deaton was a candidate for Governor of Louisiana in the 2015 election. The primary election occurred on October 24, 2015.[8]
Many observers considered Deaton's chances for winning the governorship to be slim, given his anticipated lack of fundraising compared to the other candidates. However, Deaton said that he is “using more of a populist approach, similar to Bernie Sanders." He insisted, however, that his policies were unlike those of Senator Sanders: "The big difference between Bernie Sanders and myself is he’s a socialist. I steer clear of that.” He anticipated increasing his vote share from roughly 50,000 votes in 2011 to 200,000-300,000 votes in the 2015 election and said that it was "very possible" for him to make the runoff election if no candidate managed to win at least 50 percent of the vote in the October primary.[6]
Results
Primary
Deaton was defeated, earning 1.1 percent of the vote. No candidate received an outright majority in the blanket primary election. The two candidates with the most votes, who qualified for the November runoff election, were John Bel Edwards (D) and David Vitter (R).[9]
| Governor of Louisiana, Blanket Primary, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  John Bel Edwards |
39.9% | 444,061 | |
| Republican | David Vitter |
23% | 256,105 | |
| Republican | Scott Angelle | 19.3% | 214,907 | |
| Republican | Jay Dardenne | 15% | 166,553 | |
| Democratic | Cary Deaton | 1.1% | 11,750 | |
| Democratic | S L Simpson | 0.7% | 7,411 | |
| Independent | Beryl Billiot | 0.5% | 5,690 | |
| Independent | Jeremy "JW" Odom | 0.4% | 4,755 | |
| Independent | Eric Paul Orgeron | 0.2% | 2,244 | |
| Total Votes | 1,113,476 | |||
| Election Results Louisiana Secretary of State. | ||||
General election
The general election for Louisiana governor between David Vitter (R) and John Bel Edwards (D) was held on November 21, 2015. Edwards defeated his Republican opponent.
| Governor of Louisiana, Run-off election, 2015 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Bel Edwards |
56.1% | 646,860 | |
| Republican | David Vitter | 43.9% | 505,929 | |
| Total Votes | 1,152,789 | |||
| Election Results via the Louisiana Secretary of State. | ||||
Issues: 2015
In an interview with The Town Talk, Deaton mentioned the following issues as major themes of his 2015 campaign:
- A "10 percent reduction in the cost of college tuition at state colleges and universities, which could increase enrollment."
- He left the Republican Party and registered as a Democrat because he believes that "the Republican Party as a general rule...lacked enough empathy for poor and disadvantaged.”
- "Being a Democratic governor would give him some leverage with the White House in 2016 and possibly beyond, but he can still work with a mostly Republican congressional delegation."
- "Louisiana should accept more federal funds to expand Medicaid, which Jindal has rejected."
- "He would work to get more business incubators located throughout the state, as well as help more companies get Small Business Administration assistance."
- He opposes tort reform.
- He is a "pro-life, pro-gun" Democrat.[6]
Polls
Run-off election candidates match-up: David Vitter (R) vs. John Bel Edwards (D)
| Governor of Louisiana | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | David Vitter (R) | John Edwards (D) | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Anzalone Liszt Grove/Gumbo PAC October 26-28, 2015 | 40% | 52% | 7% | +/-3.7 | 700 | ||||||||||||||
| Market Research Insight October 27-28, 2015 | 41% | 49% | 10% | +/-4.1 | 600 | ||||||||||||||
| JMC Analytics/WVLA October 28-31, 2015 | 36% | 52% | 16% | +/-4 | 600 | ||||||||||||||
| Market Research Insight November 11-14, 2015 | 38% | 53% | 9% | +/-- | 600 | ||||||||||||||
| JMC Analytics November 14-16, 2015 | 35% | 51% | 13% | +/-3.9 | 635 | ||||||||||||||
| AVERAGES | 38% | 51.4% | 11% | +/-1.54 | 627 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
Primary election candidates match-up
| Governor of Louisiana | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | David Vitter (R) | John Edwards (D) | Jay Dardenne (R) | Scott Angelle (R) | Undecided or Other | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||
| MarblePort Polling March 17, 2015 | 34% | 31% | 14% | 7% | 14% | +/-2.99 | 1,071 | ||||||||||||
| Southern Media & Opinion Research May 5 - 9, 2015 | 38.1% | 24.6% | 16.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% | +/-4 | 600 | ||||||||||||
| Market Research Insight May 27 - 29, 2015 | 32% | 21% | 18% | 13% | 16% | +/-3.5 | 700 | ||||||||||||
| Triumph Campaigns June 29 - 30, 2015 | 31% | 30% | 11% | 14% | 14% | +/-2.4 | 1,653 | ||||||||||||
| Market Research Insight July 27-31, 2015 | 22% | 20% | 13% | 24% | 21% | +/-4 | 600 | ||||||||||||
| The Hayride/MarblePort August 4-5, 2015 | 31.1% | 30.6% | 13.4% | 14.1% | 10.8% | +/-- | 1,050 | ||||||||||||
| Triumph Campaigns September 18, 2015 | 29% | 35% | 11% | 12% | 13% | +/-2.9 | 1,125 | ||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling September 21-22, 2015 | 27% | 28% | 14% | 15% | 17% | +/-4 | 616 | ||||||||||||
| Triumph Campaigns September 29-30, 2015 | 28% | 35% | 15% | 10% | 13% | +/-2.9 | 1,047 | ||||||||||||
| KPLC/Raycom Media October 7-13, 2015 | 21% | 24% | 8% | 7% | 37% | +/-4 | 602 | ||||||||||||
| MRI October 14-16, 2015 | 20% | 38% | 14% | 16% | 11% | +/-- | 600 | ||||||||||||
| MRI October 15-19, 2015 | 19% | 36% | 14% | 17% | 12% | +/-- | 600 | ||||||||||||
| University of New Orleans Survey Research Center/Lucid October 14-19, 2015 | 27% | 25% | 11% | 14% | 23% | +/-- | 623 | ||||||||||||
| MarblePort October 20-21, 2015 | 28.5% | 40.5% | 14.1% | 12.7% | 4.3% | +/-3.0 | 1,464 | ||||||||||||
| AVERAGES | 25.85% | 27.91% | 12.47% | 12.08% | 14.1% | +/-0.78 | 894.33 | ||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
Run-off hypothetical match-up: Scott Angelle (R) vs. John Bel Edwards (D)
| Governor of Louisiana | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Scott Angelle (R) | John Edwards (D) | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling September 21-22, 2015 | 40% | 40% | 20% | +/-4 | 616 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
Run-off hypothetical match-up: John Bel Edwards (D) vs. David Vitter (R)
| Governor of Louisiana | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | John Edwards (D) | David Vitter (R) | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| KPLC/Raycom Media October 7-13, 2015 | 48% | 32% | 20% | +/-4 | 602 | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling September 21-22, 2015 | 50% | 38% | 12% | +/-4 | 616 | ||||||||||||||
| AVERAGES | 49% | 35% | 16% | +/-4 | 609 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
Run-off hypothetical match-up: John Bel Edwards (D) vs. Jay Dardenne (R)
| Governor of Louisiana | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | John Edwards (D) | Jay Dardenne (R) | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Public Policy Polling September 21-22, 2015 | 40% | 42% | 18% | +/-4 | 616 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
Run-off hypothetical match-up: Scott Angelle (R) vs. David Vitter (R)
| Governor of Louisiana | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | David Vitter (R) | Scott Angelle (R) | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Causeway Solutions September 13-16, 2015 | 32% | 43.4% | 24.6% | +/--- | 800 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
Debates
November 16 debate
The final debate between Louisiana gubernatorial candidates John Bel Edwards (D) and David Vitter (R) took place at the Dunham School in Baton Rouge, La., on November 16, 2015.[10]
The first topic of the debate was how each candidate would handle the 10,000 Syrian refugees that President Obama said the United States will accept in the coming months. Both candidates said they support Governor Bobby Jindal's executive order preventing more refugees from entering Louisiana, beyond the 14 already settled. Vitter accused Edwards, however, of siding with Obama on the issue in a recent Facebook post.[11]
The candidates also debated character issues and tax policy.[10]
In his closing statement, Vitter addressed allegations that he had solicited the services of prostitutes in the past, arguing that he had grown as a person. Edwards had mentioned it multiple times, directly and indirectly, throughout the evening.[10]
November 10 debate
The two remaining candidates for Louisiana governor, David Vitter (R) and John Edwards (D), participated in a debate in Baton Rouge. Topics at the November 10, 2015, debate included health insurance, K-12 education, the state budget and infrastructure and various campaign controversies. The debate lasted for one hour.[12]
November 9 debate
|
January 16 forum
Gubernatorial candidates Scott Angelle (R), Jay Dardenne (R), David Vitter (R) and John Edwards (D) opened Louisiana's election season with a largely congenial forum. All four candidates shared similar thoughts on funding for transportation and the state police along with the legacy of term-limited Gov. Bobby Jindal (R). Dardenne criticized the state's approach to new transportation projects, arguing that it was unsustainable and too political. Each candidate agreed that the state police should see decreases in their allotment from the transportation trust fund, which is funded by gas taxes. Vitter, a sitting U.S. senator, criticized Jindal for his budgeting practices and argued that the governor had used his position as a springboard to seek the presidency.[13]
The biggest source of disagreement on January 16 was the state's financial support for parish transportation costs. Angelle and Edwards noted that parish governments needed state transportation aid because of their inability to generate enough revenue for local projects. Dardenne argued that current local aid, equaling more than one cent per dollar in gas taxes, needed to be decreased to preserve the state fund.[13]
Campaign finance
Third quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $2,685,411.34 and spent a total of $3,535,658.92 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on September 25, 2015.[14]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
| David Vitter |
Governor of Louisiana | $5,036,128.60 | $839,256.29 | $1,817,430.51 | $4,056,066.63 |
| Scott Angelle |
Governor of Louisiana | $1,041,264.83 | $619,962.04 | $593,877.65 | $1,046,210.64 |
| Jay Dardenne |
Governor of Louisiana | $1,863,338.32 | $376,345.21 | $604,699.33 | $1,619,108.36 |
| John Edwards |
Governor of Louisiana | $1,071,207.26 | $841,974.24 | $516,506.89 | $1,383,344.03 |
| Cary Deaton |
Governor of Louisiana | $218.54 | $1,100.71 | $1,319.25 | $0.00 |
| Eric Paul Orgeron |
Governor of Louisiana | $0.00 | $1,572.85 | $1,230.29 | $342.56 |
| Beryl Billiot |
Governor of Louisiana | $100.53 | $5,200.00 | $595.00 | $4,705.53 |
| Grand Total Raised | $2,685,411.34 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $3,535,658.92 | ||||
Second quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $2,785,400.33 and spent a total of $1,873,096.62 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on September 25, 2015.[15]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
| David Vitter |
Governor of Louisiana | $4,210,300.47 | $1,343,769.29 | $510,582.33 | $5,036,128.60 |
| Scott Angelle |
Governor of Louisiana | $1,201,137.27 | $787,933.00 | $922,153.99 | $1,041,264.83 |
| Jay Dardenne |
Governor of Louisiana | $1,854,112.97 | $407,657.97 | $379,492.62 | $1,863,338.32 |
| John Edwards |
Governor of Louisiana | $894,173.86 | $246,040.07 | $60,196.00 | $1,071,207.26 |
| Cary Deaton |
Governor of Louisiana | $890.22 | $0.00 | $671.68 | $218.54 |
| Beryl Billiot |
Governor of Louisiana | $100.53 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $100.53 |
| Grand Total Raised | $2,785,400.33 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $1,873,096.62 | ||||
First quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $2,539,527.28 and spent a total of $1,598,135.31 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on May 4, 2015.[16]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
| David Vitter |
Governor of Louisiana | $3,504,174.14 | $1,144,275.20 | $431,810.24 | $4,210,300.47 |
| Scott Angelle |
Governor of Louisiana | $1,431,310.95 | $641,686.04 | $851,911.00 | $1,201,137.27 |
| Jay Dardenne |
Governor of Louisiana | $1,549,526.30 | $520,925.40 | $198,848.13 | $1,854,112.97 |
| John Edwards |
Governor of Louisiana | $784,919.30 | $230,140.64 | $113,781.44 | $894,173.86 |
| Cary Deaton |
Governor of Louisiana | $0.00 | $2,500.00 | $1,609.78 | $890.22 |
| Beryl Billiot |
Governor of Louisiana | $275.25 | $0.00 | $174.72 | $100.53 |
| Grand Total Raised | $2,539,527.28 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $1,598,135.31 | ||||
Annual report (2014)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $6,699,634.53 and spent a total of $1,267,092.55 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on February 19, 2015.[17]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
| David Vitter |
Governor of Louisiana | $0 | $4,107,597.72 | $600,212.83 | $3,504,174.14 |
| Scott Angelle |
Governor of Louisiana | $175,574.96 | $1,516,900.82 | $232,370.28 | $1,431,310.95 |
| Jay Dardenne |
Governor of Louisiana | $1,225,114.71 | $690,128.62 | $326,051.28 | $1,549,526.30 |
| John Edwards |
Governor of Louisiana | $474,725.46 | $385,007.37 | $108,458.16 | $745,894.30 |
| Grand Total Raised | $6,699,634.53 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $1,267,092.55 | ||||
2011
The Louisiana Gubernatorial election of 2011 was decided on October 22, 2011, in the primary election. Incumbent Republican Bobby Jindal captured more than 50 percent of the vote in the blanket primary, winning re-election outright. Deaton placed third out of 10 candidates, earning less than 5 percent of the vote. The Louisiana general election was held on Saturday, November 19, 2011, but the office of governor did not appear on the ballot.[18]
| Governor of Louisiana, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Bobby Jindal Incumbent |
65.8% | 673,239 | |
| Democratic | Tara Hollis | 17.9% | 182,925 | |
| Democratic | Cary Deaton | 4.9% | 50,071 | |
| Democratic | Trey Roberts | 3.3% | 33,280 | |
| Independent | David Blanchard | 2.6% | 26,705 | |
| Democratic | Niki Bird Papazoglakis | 2.1% | 21,885 | |
| Libertarian | Scott Lewis | 1.2% | 12,528 | |
| Independent | Robert Lang, Jr. | 0.9% | 9,109 | |
| Independent | Ron Caesar | 0.8% | 8,179 | |
| Independent | Leonard Bollingham | 0.5% | 5,242 | |
| Total Votes | 1,023,163 | |||
| Election results via Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
Issues: 2011
Deaton is a self-described "pro-life, pro-gun conservative Democrat" who believes in strong crime control.[4][19] In a candidate questionnaire submitted to the Times-Picayune, Deaton identified the following priorities:
- protect Social Security
- stop tuition increases at Louisiana colleges and universities
- be a full-time governor, not one who's at fundraisers 56 days out of the year
- work for a light-rail system in Louisiana
- pro-life[20]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Deaton is divorced and has two children.[20]
Contact information
Cary Deaton Campaign Headquarters
3524 16th St., Suite F
Metairie, LA 70002
Phone: (504) 957-8043
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Cary Deaton Governor election 2016. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Louisiana | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate Inquiry," accessed September 14, 2015
- ↑ The Lens, "Election 2015," accessed October 25, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate database," accessed September 8, 2011
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 NOLA.com, "Trio of Democrats angling for U.S. Senate seat," August 11, 2010
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 VoteSmart.org, "Cary J. Deaton, Sr. (LA) biography," accessed October 14, 2011
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Town Talk, "Deaton optimistic in longshot bid for governor," accessed September 17, 2015
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Cary Deaton," accessed September 17, 2015
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedag - ↑ The Lens, "Elections 2015," accessed October 25, 2015
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Times-Picayune, "Louisiana's final gubernatorial debate: 5 things you need to know about it," November 17, 2015
- ↑ National Journal, "Vitter spars with Democratic opponent over Syrian refugees," November 17, 2015
- ↑ WDSU News, "First runoff gubernatorial debate ends in heated exchange between Vitter, Edwards," November 11, 2015
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 The Times-Picayune, "2015 governor candidates forum: Louisiana has a roads and infrastructure problem," January 16, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed September 25, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed September 25, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "View Campaign Finance Reports," accessed February 19, 2015
- ↑ The Green Papers, "2010 Gubernatorial Primaries at a Glance"
- ↑ WRKF.org, "Gubernatorial candidate: Cary Deaton," October 12, 2011
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 NOLA.com, "Against monumental odds, 9 mount bids to unseat Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal
