If you can’t beat ’em, cheat ’em. That appears to be the message coming from Opelousas, La., Mayor Don Cravins, Sr., a leader in the state Democratic party, who was captured on video encouraging Democratic Party bosses, activists, and operatives to commit voter fraud at a rally in support of Sen. Mary Landrieu and local Democrat candidates.
On Monday, the Black Conservatives Fund PAC (BCF) released the footage, which was taken during a Landrieu rally the evening of Nov. 3, at the Charcoal Lounge on Academy Street in Opelousas. In the video, captured below, Cravins tells a crowd:
Now, if you already voted, go vote again tomorrow. One more time’s not going to hurt….
Tomorrow we’re gonna elect Earl Taylor as the [District Attorney] so he won’t prosecute you if you vote twice.
Louisianans, like Americans in many states, had the option of either voting “early” or showing up on Election Day. Taking advantage of both options would be a crime.
Cravins, a former state senator and party operative, is himself currently in a run-off for re-election against fellow Democrat David Tatum.
Cravins’s son, Don Cravins Jr., is Landrieu’s chief of staff. He was present as his father called for voter fraud.
BCF senior advisor Ali Akbar said:
Mayor Cravins’ comments are appalling. Mayor Cravins is brazenly encouraging those in attendance to violate state and federal law by committing voter fraud. He is compromising the integrity of our voting process and likely violating federal and state law himself.
Mayor Cravins owes the people Opelousas and Louisiana an apology. We’re calling on both state parties, Congressman Cassidy and Senator Landrieu’s campaigns to immediately denounce Cravins’ reckless disregard for the law.
BCF has turned over a copy of the video and a transcript to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, the Louisiana Attorney General’s office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The runoff election between Landrieu and Rep. Bill Cassidy (R) is scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 6.
Cross-posted at The Lid