Louisiana state elections, 2007

Louisiana's 2007 state elections were held on October 20, 2007, with runoff elections to be held on November 17. All statewide elected offices were up, as well as all seats in the Louisiana State Legislature.

Republicans were successful in electing the country's first Indian-American governor, Congressman Bobby Jindal. The issue of the state's response to Hurricane Katrina played a large part in the decision of incumbent governor Kathleen Blanco to retire rather than seek a second term in office. Term limits also caused a large number of retirements in the state legislature, which proved to be a benefit to Republicans, who made gains in both houses.

Governor

Bobby Jindal was elected outright with 54%, over a number of other contenders. "'He was voted Louisiana's new governor.

Lieutenant Governor

Democratic incumbent Mitch Landrieu had the best showing of any Democrat running statewide, winning 56.6% of the vote. He was opposed by two Republicans, country musician Sammy Kershaw and State Representative Gary Beard, and by two Independents, Norris "Spanky" Gros Jr. and Thomas D. Kates.

Open Primary Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Mitch Landrieu (incumbent)
votes = 701,887
percentage = 56.6
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Sammy Kershaw
votes = 375,727
percentage = 30.3
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Gary Beard
votes = 130,876
percentage = 10.6
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = Norris "Spanky" Gros Jr.
votes = 15,965
percentage = 1.3
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = Thomas D. Kates
votes = 15,555
percentage = 1.2
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,240,010
percentage =
change =

Attorney General

Incumbent Attorney General Charles Foti was challenged by both a Democrat, James "Buddy" Caldwell, and a Republican, Royal Alexander. Foti placed third in the open primary, leading to a runoff between Caldwell and Alexander, in which Caldwell easily won.

Open Primary Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = "James "Buddy" Caldwell"
votes = 434,507
percentage = 35.6
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = "Royal Alexander"
votes = 395,498
percentage = 32.4
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Charles Foti (incumbent)
votes = 389,300
percentage = 31.9
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,219,305
percentage =
change =

Runoff Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = James "Buddy" Caldwell
votes = 477,574
percentage = 66.6
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Royal Alexander
votes = 239,485
percentage = 33.4
change =

Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry

Longtime incumbent Democrat Bob Odom faced his toughest re-election campaign ever, winning only 41% of the vote and ending up into a runoff with Republican State Representative Michael G. Strain. Odom withdrew from the runoff, making Strain the winner by default.

Open Primary Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Bob Odom (incumbent)
votes = 505,504
percentage = 41.3
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Mike Strain
votes = 494,760
percentage = 40.5
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Wayne Carter
votes = 152,893
percentage = 12.5
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Don Johnson
votes = 69,470
percentage = 5.7
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,222,627
percentage =
change =

Commissioner of Insurance

Republican Jim Donelon, who was elected to the Insurance Commissioner post in a 2006 special election, defeated both Democrat Jim Crowley and Republicans Robert Lansden and Jerilyn Schneider-Kneale to win a full term.

Open Primary Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Jim Donelon (incumbent)
votes = 606,196
percentage = 50.9
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Jim Crowley
votes = 423,986
percentage = 35.6
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Robert Lansden
votes = 105,991
percentage = 8.9
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Jerilyn Schneider-Kneale
votes = 55,350
percentage = 4.6
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,191,523
percentage =
change =

ecretary of State

Republican incumbent Jay Dardenne, after winning a special election in 2006, easily defeated Democrat R. Wooley and independent Scott A. Lewis III to win a full term.

Open Primary Results

Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate = Jay Dardenne (incumbent)
votes = 757,821
percentage = 63.3
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = R. Wooley
votes = 374,199
percentage = 31.3
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = Scott A. Lewis III
votes = 64,723
percentage = 5.4
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,196,743
percentage =
change =

tate Treasurer

Incumbent John N. Kennedy, a Democrat who switched to the Republican party in 2007, was re-elected unopposed.

tate Legislature

Louisiana Senate

In the open primary election, Democrats won a total of 22 seats, including both seats won outright and runoffs between two Democrats. Republicans won 12 seats outright with one runoff. In the runoff elections between a Democrat and a Republican, each party won two seats, making the post-election composition of the Senate 24 Democrats and 15 Republicans. Following the elections, Democratic State Sen. Robert Adley switched to the Republican party, making the Senate 23 Democrats and 16 Republicans [http://www.ktbs.com/news/Bossier-lawmaker-Robert-Adley-switches-to-Republican-Party-7062/] .

House of Representatives

In the open primary, Democrats won a guaranteed 45 seats: 34 outright, with 11 runoffs between two Democrats. Republicans won a guaranteed 42 seats: 30 outright, with 12 runoffs between two Republicans. One independent was also elected. The remaining 17 seats went to runoffs, including 16 between a Democrat and a Republican and one between a Democrat and an Independent. Democrats and Republicans each won eight of these seats, with the last going to an Independent, giving the Democrats a slim 53 to 50, with two Independents, majority in the House of Representatives.

Links

* [http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms2&rqsdta=102007 Election Results]