BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The four candidates for Baton Rouge Mayor were ready to debate this Wednesday but has been postponed due to weather. Nevertheless, two folks who know a thing or two about politics are weighing on how the race is looking and how record-breaking turnout for a presidential election could have a big impact.

Southern University Political Science Professor, Albert Samuels, and former Metro Councilman Darrell Glasper, both see the EBR mayor’s race as a guaranteed runoff. A recent poll put out by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber shows incumbent Sharon Weston Broome at 29% while Democrat Ted James and Republican Sid Edwards are tied at 23%.

“To be a two-term incumbent and be at 29% is a problem,” said Samuels.

“You have 140,000 whites, you have 127,000 African Americans, and 18,000 others. I don’t see a first-time primary victory in that race,” added Glasper.

Samuels, a Democrat, says even though incumbent Sharon Weston Broome’s polls are higher, her numbers still show some vulnerability. And Glasper, a Democrat turned Republican, says Trumps growing appeal to African Americans will play a role in deciding who heads to a runoff. Especially with the number of voters expected to turnout.

“Race does play a part, I just don’t see Republican’s going to the polls and voting for Donald Trump at the top of a ticket and then vote for either other of the candidates, I don’t care how much money they have,” said Glasper.

“There is a path for a Republican because even though this is a Democratic majority parish it’s not overwhelmingly Democratic,” Samuels explained.

Abortion will also play a big role in a state like ours with some of the strictest abortion laws in the country. Women voters are expected to have a high turn out which experts believe could play to Broome’s advantage as a top female candidate.

A date has yet to be decided as to when the mayor’s debate will be rescheduled.

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