The 2002 United States Senate election in Louisiana was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu won re-election to a second term, although she did not earn 50% of the vote in the first round and was therefore forced into a runoff election with Republican Suzanne Haik Terrell, the Louisiana Elections Commissioner.
During the runoff, Landrieu was outspent three-to-one by Terrell, who also had prominent Republicans including President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney visit Louisiana to campaign on her behalf. Republicans, confident of victory having gained seats in the elections to the House of Representatives and to the Senate, solidifying control of the former and taking control of the latter, publicly called the election "Operation Icing on the Cake".Landrieu Faces Terrell for Senate in Louisiana Runoff Race Ms Magazine, December 6, 2002Reversal of Fortune American Prospect, December 12, 2002 Some Democrats responded by calling their efforts "Operation Wipe that Smirk off of Bush's Face"More thoughts on Louisiana victories Daily Kos, December 8, 2002 and dubbed Landrieu's subsequent run-off victory, "Operation Pie in the Face".Operation "Pie in the Face": Dems sweep LA Daily Kos, December 8, 2002
This was one of the four Democratic-held Senate seats up for election in a state that George W. Bush won in the 2000 presidential election.
Candidates Democratic Raymond Brown Mary Landrieu, incumbent U.S. Senator
Republican John Cooksey, U.S. Representative Tony Perkins, State Representative Ernest Edward Skillman Suzanne Haik Terrell, Louisiana Elections Commissioner
Independents Live Wire Landry James Lemann Gary D. Robbins
Primary results
Runoff Debates (Jungle primary & runoff) Complete video of debate, October 24, 2002 Complete video of debate, October 28, 2002 Complete video of debate, October 29, 2002 Complete video of debate, November 17, 2002 Complete video of debate, November 21, 2002 Complete video of debate, November 25, 2002 Complete video of debate, December 2, 2002
Predictions SourceRankingAs ofSabato's Crystal Ball November 4, 2002
Results
Parishes that flipped from Republican to Democratic Cameron (Largest community: Grand Lake) Catahoula (Largest town: Jonesville) East Baton Rouge (Largest city: Baton Rouge) Evangeline (Largest city: Ville Platte) Jefferson Davis (Largest city: Jennings) Morehouse (Largest city: Bastrop) Saint Martin (Largest city: Breaux Bridge) Saint Landry (Largest city: Opelousas) Washington (Largest city: Bogalusa)
Analysis Landrieu pulled off what many considered to be an upset victory. The Republicans believed they would most likely win the race. Before the election, many Republicans called the race operation icing on the cake. After Landrieu won the runoff Democrats dubbed her victory operation pie in the face. The race was close. In terms of rural parishes, the vote was split fairly evenly. Landrieu did well in Caddo Parish home of Shreveport, and in East Baton Rouge Parish home of Baton Rouge. Ultimately though it was Landrieu's huge win in Orleans Parish home of New Orleans that pushed her over the finish line. Haik Terrell conceded defeat to Landrieu at 12:38 P.M. EST, congratulating Landrieu on her victory. Landrieu would go on to be reelected to a third term in 2008, but ultimately defeated in her bid for a fourth term in 2014.
See also 2002 United States Senate elections
References
External links Elections Division from the Louisiana Secretary of State