WATCH | Mayor-President-elect Sid Edwards speaks to voters
BATON ROUGE — Political newcomer Sid Edwards has defeated incumbent Sharon Weston Broome and will serve as East Baton Rouge Parish’s next Mayor-President.
Edwards, dean of students and head football coach at Istrouma High School, will be the first Republican to hold the position since 2005.
“I know a lot of people are in disbelief—none more than me,” Edwards said in front of a crowd of supporters. “This was a God-driven campaign, and it will be a God-driven administration. We ran a great campaign, we ran a positive campaign, and we never veered from that.
“We’re not saying everything has been bad in Baton Rouge—we’ve never said that. But there are some things that need to change, and it’s my promise to you, as the next mayor-president, that it’s going to happen. Coaches generally keep their promises—I don’t know about politicians—but coaches do.”
He defeated Broome with 54% of the vote, according to complete but unofficial election results. This is Broome’s first defeat of her political career.
“We stood tall and we fought hard,” Broome said during her concession speech Saturday night. “While the outcome may not have been the one we hoped for, it doesn’t demish the progress we made. I pray, Sid, that you will lead with wisdom, humility and a heart for every resident of Baton Rouge.”
Long considered a political underdog, Edwards surprised many by outperforming both Broome and Democrat Ted James in the November 5 primary election, securing a leading 34% of the vote.
Running as a “change candidate,” Edwards focused his campaign on addressing Baton Rouge’s rising crime rates, blight, and homelessness—key issues that resonated with voters. Public safety quickly became the cornerstone of his platform, with Edwards bluntly declaring, “Baton Rouge is not safe.”
During Broome’s two terms, violent crime fluctuated, with homicides peaking at 131 in 2021, placing Baton Rouge among the nation’s most dangerous cities that year. Edwards has pledged to hire 100 additional police officers to combat rising violent crime.
He also emphasized tackling socioeconomic challenges as a way to address the root causes of crime, promising comprehensive solutions to improve public safety and quality of life.
However, Edwards’ campaign faced scrutiny and controversy. His voting record—or lack thereof—became a focal point during the primary and runoff elections. Critics highlighted that he had not voted in more than eight years. In campaign ads, Broome dubbed him “No Show Sid,” attacking his civic engagement. Edwards defended his record, admitting he consciously chose not to vote out of frustration with what he described as government corruption and dishonesty. While acknowledging it was wrong, Edwards said it reflected his disillusionment with the political system.
Edwards is set to be sworn into office in January.
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