A Democrat snagged a Louisiana congressional seat long held by Republicans yesterday, strengthening Dems’ grip on the House, the AP reports. A special election followed the resignation of 20-year incumbent Richard Baker and awarded the seat to Don Cazayoux after over 30 years of GOP control. Cazayoux took 49% of the vote to the Republican's 46% in a race that attracted only 24% of voters.
“It's of enormous national significance," said a Democratic consultant. "If we take yet another Republican seat that has been considered safe for years, then every 59% district is at play," he said, referring to the percentage of districts George Bush won in 2004. (More Congress stories.)