Headed into Tuesday's election, the GOP targeted one incumbent Democratic Senator whose seat appeared vulnerable for an upset, but Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu has prevailed over GOP challenger John Kennedy.
November 03, 2008 La. Senate Candidates Focus on Economy in Final Campaign Push Incumbent Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu and her Republican rival State Treasurer John Kennedy both addressed the nation's chaotic fiscal downturn in their final days of campaigning. Landrieu, a two-term incumbent, has faced a strong GOP challenge for her Senate seat. October 22, 2008 Landrieu Ahead in La., but Remains GOP Target Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu may face an easier re-election bid than she anticipated, even though Republicans continue to eye her Senate seat as vulnerable enough for a GOP pickup. October 12, 2008 La. Senate Candidates Spar on the Economy, Energy Policy As the only Democratic incumbent who appears to be in danger of losing her Senate seat to a Republican challenger, Sen. Mary Landrieu is solidifying her lead against state Treasurer John Kennedy. In their last debate, the two tackled the biggest campaign issues, starting with the economy. -- Louisiana Public Broadcasting September 19, 2008 Katrina May Claim Another Victim as Landrieu Struggles in Re-Election Bid Demographic changes and a steady march to the right by the post-Katrina electorate in Louisiana has helped make two-term Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu the GOP's top target in this year's election. July 01, 2008 Hurricanes' Impact May Play Role in La. Senate Race With its reputation as a swing state, Louisiana has set the stage for a competitive Senate race between incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu and her Republican competitor, State Treasurer John Kennedy.
LPB's "The State We're In" provides a weekly review of the state's political events.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
Mary Landrieu
Incumbent
Sen. Mary Landrieu, the Louisiana Democrat known for pushing
to increase funding for the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina
now leads a subcommittee on disaster recovery and is a member
of the Appropriations Committee. At 23, she was elected to the
state legislature and in 1996 became the first woman elected to
represent Louisiana for a full term in the U.S. Senate. She was
re-elected in 2002.
Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy switched party affiliation from
Democrat to Republican in August 2007, and is considered to be
a competitive contender for the Louisana Senate seat held by Mary
Landrieu. Recently elected to his third term as state treasurer,
Kennedy has previously served as Lousiana's secretary of revenue
and special counsel to former Gov. Buddy Roemer.