By Nolan Mckendry | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Republican U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow defeated Democrat Jamie Davis in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate election Tuesday, though a surprisingly close race saw the Democratic challenger deliver a performance that exceeded that of former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu.
Davis captured 49% of the vote, surpassing the 44.1% Landrieu received in her unsuccessful 2014 reelection bid against Republican Bill Cassidy. His showing was bolstered by strong Black voter turnout and Democratic enthusiasm, which transformed what initially appeared to be a comfortable Republican victory into an unexpectedly competitive contest.
Davis secured a total of 720,106 votes. Letlow secured only 25,000 votes more. She will replace Cassidy, who lost his reelection bid during the state’s May primary.
Her hair-thin victory is reflective of a broader Democratic resurgence. The party will secure control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
Letlow began he political career following the death of her husband, Luke Letlow, who won election to Congress in 2020 but died before taking office. She subsequently won the seat in a 2021 special election.
Letlow will become the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in the U.S. Senate.
The Republican congresswoman entered the general election with President Donald Trump’s endorsement and the backing of much of Louisiana’s GOP establishment.