Like most Southern states between the Reconstruction Era and the Civil Rights Movement, Louisiana's Republican Party was virtually nonexistent in terms of electoral support.

Funded by politicians, oil and gas money, and contributions from organized crime in the New Orleans area, Long ran a theatrical and entertaining campaign, making stump speeches that were a mix of political harangue and humorous anecdotes.

His platform called for the elimination of Jones's civil service, the doubling of state spending on programs like pensions, school lunches, charity hospitals and asylums, new trade schools, pay increases for teachers, an increased homestead tax exemption, and bonuses for veterans of World War II.

Through payoffs and promises of support, Long managed to gain the backing of powerful former enemies, State Senator Dudley LeBlanc, former Governor Jimmie Noe, and U.S. Representative F. Edward Hebert.

But Long's victories in most parishes in both northern and southern parts of the state gave him a commanding lead going into the second round.