It's a Wrap

by Tim Storey

A light turnout of Louisiana voters finished the 2007 election season on Saturday by deciding the handful of legislative races that went to runoffs under the unique Pelican State primary election system.  Democrats maintained a slim majority in the House: 53 D, 50 R and 2 Independents.  And they held the majority in the Senate 24 D to 15 R--unchanged from prior to the election.  The Baton Rouge Advocate has a nice wrap-up here. 

A heated race for the House Speaker position is underway between Democratic Rep. Don Cazayoux and Republican Rep. Jim Tucker.  Term limits took effect in Louisiana this year creating 45 open seats in the House and helping Republicans edge closer to outright numerical control.  Of the 15 states with legislative term limits on the books, Louisiana is the next-to-last where they have taken effect.  Term limits kick in for Nevada legislators in 2010. 

With Democrats holding on to majorities in both Louisiana chambers, they now have full control of 23 legislatures with Republicans controlling 14.  Twelve states have divided control of the legislature , and Nebraska's unicameral legislature is nonpartisan.   

Comments

[John]

And with state Senator Robert Adley (D-Benton) switching parties, the Louisiana Senate is now 23-16 Democratic.