Could the Cravins dynasty in Acadiana politics be coming to a close? We'll find out Tuesday night following Opelousas Mayor Don Cravins' runoff election. Could the Cravins dynasty in Acadiana politics be coming to a close? We'll find out Tuesday night following Opelousas Mayor Don Cravins' runoff election.
In his LaPolitics Weekly column, state political columnist John Maginnis likens the former state senator, now completing his first term as mayor, to Gen. George Custer: "Mayor Don Cravins is making what could be the last stand for a family dynasty whose hold on power in St. Landry Parish has been slipping away in recent years. He is embroiled in a close race for re-election against challenger Frank Ford. White voters can make the difference in the contest between two African-Americans."
Indeed, the endorsements of Boustany, a Republican, and Guidroz, a Democrat, could secure enough white votes for Cravins' competitor to prevail. Ford has also been endorsed by state Sen. Elbert Guillory, a conservative Democrat and former Republican. Cravins won the primary over Ford 40-33 percent, but two other candidates - a Democrat and a Republican - siphoned away 23 percent and 3 percent of the vote, respectively.
Citing political observers in St. Landry Parish, Maginnis says "the heated runoff could come down to a handful of votes."