Political novice Gwen Collins-Greenup, an African-American Democrat who raised less than $5,000 for her campaign, stunned the secretary of state field by earning a runoff spot with Republican acting Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin in a crowded field Tuesday night.
"It's an amazing accomplishment because she only raised ($5,000) and wasn't believe to be a strong candidate," said political radio analyst Jim Engster.
With 90 percent of precincts reporting, Ardoin led with 21 percent followed by Collins-Greenup with 19 percent.
Ardoin ran as the incumbent after former Secretary of State Tom Schedler resigned last spring following an interoffice sex scandal with one of his employees accusing him of harassment.
The secretary of state is Louisiana's chief elections officer and keeper of the state's archives, among other duties.
Ardoin, who had said he wouldn't run for the office until he reversed course in the final minutes of qualifying, wants to parlay his experience into the permanent job.
"This is no time for on-the-job training," Ardoin has said repeatedly on the campaign trail.
During the campaign, Ardoin said that whereas others could only speculate on cyber security, he has created a new cyber security office within the agency that has been approved and hired.
Collins-Greenup, D-Clinton, the only African-American in the race, is a notary public and recent law school graduate.
"I believe I have a lot to offer my community and my state; I love to serve," she said.
Collins-Greenup has emphasized modernizing the state archives and voting machines and engaging young voters by increasing civics offerings in high school.
She has raised $2,650 and spent $1,281 on her campaign so far. She reported $255 cash on hand for the final days.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1