Trump pushing for GOP candidate Eddie Rispone to unseat John Bel Edwards in Louisiana governor's race

Louisiana voters go to the polls Saturday to decide whether to keep Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards for a second term or replace him with Republican Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. CST

Most expect the final margin to be razor thin in a race that has drawn national attention, including three visits to Louisiana from President Donald Trump to headline rallies for Rispone and the Republicans.

Trump traveled to Lake Charles on the eve of the Oct. 12 primary election that whittled the field to Edwards and Rispone and has been to Monroe and Bossier City during the runoff campaign.

The president said a vote for Rispone is a vote for Trump in an effort to nationalize the race.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Trump in Louisiana:Trump rallies for Louisiana governor race, mocks diplomats in impeachment hearings

"You've got to give me a big win, OK?" Trump told the crowd Thursday night at the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City.

Trump tweeted Saturday morning in support of Rispone.

But Edwards said he believes voters will focus on issues back home.

"The voters of Louisiana are going to decide this election on Louisiana issues," Edwards said. "They don't need the president or anybody else to tell them how to vote."

The national spotlight is on Louisiana because Edwards is the only Democratic governor in the Deep South and Saturday's election is the nation's final major referendum of 2019.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.