October 13, 2023

Friends,

Early voting results for Louisiana's primary election reveal a notable decrease in turnout, particularly among Black voters and Democrats. However, strong Republican turnout is undeniable which is good news for Attorney General Jeff Landry's (R) gubernatorial campaign. Shawn Wilson (D) and Landry are projected to advance to the November 18 runoff.

During the early voting period that began on September 30th and ended on October 7th, 344,878 voters participated, as reported by the Louisiana Secretary of State's office. This figure does not include several thousand absentee ballots yet to be counted. This tally reflects an 8% decline compared to the number of early votes cast during the gubernatorial race in 2019 according to an analysis by John Couvillon, a pollster based in BR.

The Advocate reports that Landry holds a substantial fundraising and polling advantage over his competitors. However, Wilson has garnered significant backing as the only prominent Democrat in the running.

See a party platform comparison here.

To find out your polling place on election day, click here.

The primary election is TOMORROW and we need every Values Voter to make their voice heard. Don’t forget to use LFF’s voter guide to see where each of the candidates stand and cast a vote that’s informed by biblical principles! Be sure to tell your family, friends, and neighbors to vote YES on Amendment #2 to protect the freedom to worship!

Taken from the Majority Leader's website.

Unfortunately, Rep. Steve Scalise announced his withdrawal from the race to become Speaker of the House. During a press conference, Scalise gave the following remarks:

It's been quite a journey and there's still a long way to go. I just shared with my colleagues that I'm withdrawing my name as a candidate for the Speaker-designee. 

“If you look at — over the last few weeks — if you look at where our conference is, there's still work to be done. Our conference still has to come together and is not there.

“There are still some people that have their own agendas and I was very clear: We have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs. This country is counting on us to come back together. This House of Representatives needs a Speaker and we need to open up the House again.

“But clearly, not everybody is there, and there [are] still schisms that have to get resolved. I never came here for a title. I've had some great titles. I am the Majority leader of the House, and I love the job I have.

Click here to see his full remarks. 

Screenshot taken from Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), an Israeli research institute hat exposes the historic and present terror of Hamas.

A call for a "day of revenge" from Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal suggests that the threat to the faithful is not just in Israel but here as well. The National Review reports that earlier in the week, the terrorist leader called on Muslims to make October 13th a "day of revenge":

What is our responsibility? … I call upon all of you, together with me and all of us… to [do] more creative things than what we are used to. We want this to be at a higher level. First, the rage – let us go down to the squares and plazas, to the Arab and Islamic street, and throughout the diaspora everywhere. There is a call on Friday [Oct. 13, 2023], a Friday of the Al-Aqsa Flood (Hamas' name for slaughter of Israeli citizens; see note below -Ed.). But before Friday, and after it, and on it, we want to say to the Zionists, their criminal leaders, and their extremists, and to the Americans who rushed to their aid, that they have double standards. In their eyes the Ukraine War is just, and the Palestinian people’s war is unjust. Send a message throughout the squares and plazas – a message of rage – that we are the people of Palestine, the people of Gaza, the people of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, and that we are part of this battle.

The developments from the last week in Israel require us to have our eyes wide open. Evil must be recognized for what it is. Pray for the people of Israel, for the safety of Christians and Jews everywhere, and that God delivers His righteous justice. 

Friends, Scripture calls us to pray for those who mourn. Please join us in offering prayer for the families, injured and terrorized victims of the atrocious terrorist attacks in Israel. Pray specifically for the peace of Jerusalem!

“’For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,’ Says the LORD, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:10).

In His Service,

Gene Mills
President
Louisiana Family Forum