Political newcomer Sid Edwards, a high school football coach, pulled off an incredible upset by unseating a two-term Democratic mayor.

The Republican candidate defeated incumbent Sharon Weston Broome in the race for East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President.

BREAKING: Sid Edwards, the Republican mayoral candidate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a majority black city, just pulled off a massive upset by beating Sharon Broome, the two-term black female mayor.

🔴Edwards: 54%
🔵Broome: 46%

Edwards only raised $80k, while she had $600k

This… pic.twitter.com/Z4Oy4WERVR

— George (@BehizyTweets) December 8, 2024

“I know a lot of people are in disbelief, none more than me,” the 61-year-old told supporters Saturday evening, according to WAFB.

“We’re not saying that everything has been bad in Baton Rouge, we never said that, but there’s some things that need to change and it’s my promise to you as the next mayor-president, it’s going to happen,” Edwards added.

BREAKING: Sid Edwards is elected mayor in Baton Rogue, unseating the incumbent and becoming the first Republican mayor in 24 years. He's a football coach. pic.twitter.com/wL2Y4k3r5c

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 8, 2024

Per WAFB:

It was his first run for any political office.

Edwards soundly defeated incumbent mayor Sharon Weston Broome, capturing 54% of the vote.

Edwards led the race right with a wide margin throughout Saturday evening, also getting 54% of the early vote.

“I want to thank Mayor Broome, the hardest seat to be in is the incumbent because you have a record,” Edwards said. “So, everybody could look at you and see what isn’t right or what you stumbled upon and all that. She spent almost 36 years in public service, the last 8 being our mayor. So, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t thank her for her service and running a good race.”

“In the world I live in coaching, you better not be worried if you’re Republican or Democrat. You better not be worried if you’re black or white. None of that matters when you’re in that battle,” Edwards said.

WATCH:

Republicans, please take notes. This is how you campaign and WIN in a black city like Coach Sid Edwards just did to become Baton Rouge mayor against a black woman.

He didn't play cringe identity politics. He just talked to the people like a normal human being.

"In the world I… pic.twitter.com/fn9WhTJqoC

— George (@BehizyTweets) December 8, 2024

The Advocate reports:

Despite raising a fraction of the funds Broome’s reelection campaign raised in the cycle, Edwards received a surge of financial support from the Louisiana Republican Party after finishing first with 34% in the Nov. 5 primary.

Broome tallied 31% in the first round, ahead of Democrat Ted James, who endorsed the mayor after he was eliminated. But the support from her previous opponent was not enough to win a third term in Saturday’s runoff against Edwards.

Edwards’ campaign manager Mason Batts attributed the upset to prioritizing grassroots efforts. Edwards didn’t spend a lot of money on TV ads.

“I think our ground game made the difference. We knocked on over 25,000 doors,” Batts said. “That’s probably something no Republican candidate in this parish has ever done.”

This is the first election Broome has lost in her 32-year political career.

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