Louisiana Republican U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany has been elected to a fifth term in office, defeating Republican colleague Jeff Landry by 60 percent of the vote in a runoff election.
Late Saturday, 85 percent of the state’s precincts had reported in, giving Boustany the win,
reports Fox News. Boustany and Landry were forced into the same district — and a runoff, after Louisiana lost one of its Congressional seats because of population declines reported in the 2010 census.
Boustany will represent the state’s 3rd District, which covers southwest Louisiana and Acadiana next year. Overall, Republicans are taking control of five of the state’s six congressional seats.
Both Boustany and Landry ran as conservative Republicans, with virtually the same stances on issues. However, the new district’s designs favored incumbent Boustany, known as a traditional Republican with strong ties to House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. Landry, who was a freshman congressman, was the tea party favorite in the race.
The runoff was ordered because neither candidate mustered more than 50 percent of the vote in the November election, which was a requirement to win the race. Boustany captured 40 percent of the vote, while Landry attracted 30 percent,
reports The Chicago Tribune.
Boustany raised $3 million for the general election campaign, reports the Center for Responsive Politics, almost 50 percent more than Landry, even with his backing from the tea party movement.
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