Given the boasts of leading Republicans and Democrats after Saturday’s votes were counted, two different elections took place. “The Louisiana Committee for a Republican Majority reached its aggressive 2011 goals tonight,” reads the release from the political action committee formed by Sen. David Vitter. “Today’s victories are the first step in rebuilding the Louisiana Democratic Party,” reads a statement from state party Chairman Buddy Leach. In a world without spin, the current House of Representatives comprised of 57 Republicans, 46 Democrats and two independents will change come Jan. 9 to 58 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents. The difference was in expectations. Republicans expected to do better in eight runoff races against seven Democrats and one independent. They were talking sweep, but split instead. For Democrats to hold their own could be seen as a victory, considering that Republicans controlled legislative redistricting and that GOP candidates and business PACs overwhelmingly spent more money. The greater Republican success, however, was realized over the last four years through party switches and special elections that gained them historic majorities in both houses before the campaigns began. In the Senate, Democrats gave up two seats when only Republicans qualified to run. And, of course, the Democratic Party forfeited the statewide elections by not fielding a single viable candidate. Read the full column here.
(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)
