Retiring Guy's Digest: Louisiana Republicans had hoped to break the party's losing streak in special elections

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Louisiana Republicans had hoped to break the party's losing streak in special elections

But they couldn't come close to flipping District 60 of the State House.

Headlines: The Downballot (top, bottom)

David Nir and Jeff Singer reports for The Downballot on February 6:

A win for Daigle would make him the first Republican to flip a Democratic-held legislative seat anywhere in the nation since Trump returned to the White House. Democrats, by contrast, have picked up eight Republican-controlled districts through special elections, as well as 18 seats in New Jersey and Virginia during those states’ regularly scheduled contests last November.
A victory for Martinez, likewise, would give Democrats a high-profile win in a GOP-dominated state. It would also represent a strong showing on conservative rural turf.

David Nir reports on February 7 reports on a resounding Democratic victory in a district that Trump won by 13 percentage points in 2024:

Democrats successfully defended a conservative seat in rural Louisiana on Saturday night, as Chasity Martinez defeated Republican Brad Daigle by a dominant 62-38 margin—a massive 37-point overperformance compared to the 2024 presidential result.
Republicans had hoped to score their first legislative pickup of any kind during Donald Trump’s second term, and they had good reason to think they might succeed in the 60th House District.
Voters in the district, which includes part of Assumption and Iberville parishes (Louisiana’s equivalent of counties), had long backed state and local Democrats but had moved decidedly toward Republicans on the federal level in recent years.

Other panic-inducing GOP special elections:

2026

Republicans get whomped in Texas State Senate special election in red Fort Worth area district. (2/1)

August-November 2025
Tennessee GOP panics over CD7 special election on December 2nd. (11/24)

Tennessee 7th congressional district: Republicans freaking out over another possible special election loss. (11/17)

Despite a shrinkage of registered voters, Iowa Democrats have enjoyed a good year in 2025. (11/12)

Democratic candidate expands margin of victory in deep-blue Virginia congressional district. (9/10)

If the Democratic Party brand is in the toilet, where does that put the Republican Party? (8/2)

January-April 2025

As we have recently learned, a 15-point margin of victory is no longer safe for the GOP. (4/9)

Democrat Josh Weil cuts GOP margin of victory from 33 to 13.7 percentage points in deep-red Florida congressional district previously represented by Signalgate star performer Michael Waltz. (4/2)

Democrat Gay Valimont cuts GOP margin of victory from 32 to 14.6 percentage points in deep-red Florida congressional district previously represented by Matt Gaetz. (4/2)