Letlow, Cascio, and Three Incumbents Projected to Win in Louisiana

Republican U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow is projected to defeat Democrat Jamie Davis in Tuesday's election, securing the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Bill Cassidy. If the projection holds, Letlow will become the first Republican woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Louisiana. She will serve a six-year term alongside Republican Sen. John Kennedy. Letlow won the Republican nomination in June after defeating state Treasurer John Fleming in a runoff. Davis, a farmer from Tensas Parish, won the Democratic nomination after defeating New Orleans businessman Gary Crockett.

WAFB political analyst Jim Engster called the projection for the Senate race. The result is a major shift in the state's congressional delegation, as Letlow currently represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District. Her victory would add to the growing number of Republican representatives in the state's congressional map.

In the East Baton Rouge district attorney race, incumbent Hillar Moore III is projected to win reelection. Moore, who has served since 2008, defeated challenger Ryan Thompson. This was Moore's first contested reelection campaign. Thompson, a former assistant public defender, had criticized Moore's approach to criminal justice and public safety. Moore will continue to oversee criminal prosecutions in East Baton Rouge Parish’s 19th Judicial District.

Republican Brad Cascio is projected to become the next district attorney for the 21st Judicial District, which covers Livingston, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena parishes. Cascio, an assistant district attorney, defeated former state Rep. Sherman Mack. Both candidates are Republicans and were vying to replace longtime District Attorney Scott Perrilloux, who is retiring after 30 years in office. Cascio campaigned on his years of experience prosecuting criminal cases in the district.

Three incumbent members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation are also projected to win reelection. Democratic U.S. Rep. Troy Carter is projected to win another term in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes portions of Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Republican U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins is projected to win reelection in the 3rd Congressional District, which includes much of southwest Louisiana and Acadiana. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, is projected to win reelection in the 4th Congressional District.

Johnson’s victory in his district does not guarantee he will remain House speaker. Members of the new Congress will select their leadership when the House convenes in January. The outcome of the Senate race and the congressional seats will shape the balance of power in the state's delegation heading into the new session.

Voters in the Capital Region are still waiting on results from several other closely watched contests. In Louisiana’s redrawn 6th Congressional District, 10 candidates are competing for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields. Fields decided not to seek reelection after state lawmakers redrew the district earlier this year. The field includes Republican state Sens. Blake Miguez and Rick Edmonds, and Democratic former Metro Council member Chauna Banks. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a Dec. 12 runoff.

East Baton Rouge Parish voters also decided on several school board and judicial elections. Seven of the nine school board districts have contested races. Two East Baton Rouge Family Court seats were also on the ballot. Results from these local contests continue to come in as the night progresses.