NEW ORLEANS (AP) Democratic state Rep. Cedric Richmond defeated Loyola Law School graduate Joseph Cao, Republican, in a rare race Tuesday night where Democrats were able to snatch a House seat from the GOP.
Cao cast himself as a bipartisan friend of Democratic President Barack Obama. But votes against two key Obama initiatives, the economic stimulus and health care overhaul, were among Richmond’s attack points in a mostly Democratic district that supported Obama for president.
Cao won the district two years ago in an election often cast as a fluke: a low-turnout, hurricane-delayed election with an indicted incumbent in William Jefferson.
Two other, lesser-known independent candidates were on Tuesday’s ballot for the 2nd District, but they did little to no fundraising for the election.
Craig Malveaux contributed to this report. He can be reached at [email protected]
