BREAKING NEWS: Democrat wins longtime GOP seat in Louisiana

Here's a Saturday night news lead that will spark smiles on the faces of Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean and a bunch of other Democratic leaders for weeks to come. From the Bloomberg News Service:

"A Louisiana Democrat won a U.S. House seat that Republicans had held for more than 20 years, expanding the Democratic majority in Congress and demonstrating surging party strength in Republican strongholds."

The 6th congressional district, centered around Baton Rouge, had been in GOP hands since the mid-1970s. It came open early this year when Rep. Richard Baker, who first won the seat in 1986, announced he was quitting the House to become a lobbyist.

Going into Saturday's vote, Democrat Don Cazayoux had been slightly favored, in part because the GOP candidate, Woody Jenkins, had problems raising money. And the race played out true to form, with Cazayoux edging Jenkins, 49% to 46%.

The Democratic establishment couldn't care less about the margin. Instead, the crowing will instantly begin about how Cazayoux's victory is another strong sign that the party is destined for big things this election year.

Democrats previously were thrilled when, in early March, one of their brethren claimed the seat in Illinois that former House speaker Dennis Hastert gave up. And in April in Mississippi, a Democrat won the most votes and forced a runoff for a House seat a Republican occupied for 13 years.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Susan]

Senator Obama's supporters came out strong for Cazayoux in LA. This is just one example of how down-ticket Democrats will ride Obama's coattails to huge victories in November. Go Obama 2008!

[EthanQ]

At the very least Republicans and their pals poured money into the race hoping to 'nationalize' it by wrapping Obama around Cazayoux with Wright tape. Not quite the magic bullet they were hoping for.

Is is possible that after the myopic dementia of the Bush administration and the ilk of his GOP enablers the American public is fed up with Rovism? Worse for the Dems, though, is what a mess they've left to clean up!

[Joe Daly]

It would be fair and nice if the LA Times would emphasize that Cazayoux was strongly supported by Obama and his campaign. This win in a "Republican State" emphasizes the length of Obama's coat tails.

[Margie dansby]

I still say no matter what kind of weapon is formed against senator Obama, shall not prosper. It is his TIME, DAY, and PURPOSE. Can't you not tell by how the election turned out in the State of Louisiana with the OBAMA and Rev. WRIGHT add tied to the winner.
It made no difference. WAKE UP AMERICA and SEE that Senator Obama has been APPOINTED, and ANNOINTED by GOD for this MISSION.

[Javalation]

Looks like locals getting connected to Obama is a good thing. Helps them win elections. Hillary must be so disappointed.

[KYJurisDoctor]

Maybe, this is a harbinger of things to come for the GOP.