TRANSCRIPT
You’re listening to Red River Radio News.
Good morning, I’m Jeff Ferrell.
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INTRO:
Roughly half of Louisiana voters turned out for Tuesday’s midterm election.
According to early numbers from the Secretary of State’s office, about 1.5-million Louisiana voters cast ballots in the midterm.
Sixteen thousand more Democrats than Republicans voted early.
LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says it reflects how Louisiana got swept up in the blue wave, even though the Republican Senate candidate won:
SOT:
“ Just in the, the Senate election, um, Jamie Davis came within about 25,000 votes, against an establishment Republican, Congresswoman Julia Letlow.”
TAG:
Every single parish trended leftwards compared to how they voted in the 2024 Presidential election, according to the Associated Press.
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INTRO:
Republican Caddo Parish Commissioner John Atkins has been elected to the Public Service Commission seat representing parishes in North Louisiana.
It follows the retirement of Foster Campbell, who served as Commissioner of District 5 since 2003.
The Coastal Desk’s Michael McEwen has more on important issues likely to arise during Atkins’ 6-year term:
SOT:
“After defeating his Democratic opponent by nearly 30 points, Atkins is taking over a district that’s become a hub of data center buildouts in Louisiana. Amazon is building three data centers in the Shreveport-Bossier area, and Meta’s Richland Parish project is slated to possibly be the largest in the world. Atkins has said he believes most Louisianans support data centers as long as they don’t impact rates or the environment.”
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INTRO:
In Texas… Democrats' sweeping election victories are raising questions about shifting Latino voter support.
Democrats made gains in heavily Latino areas where Republicans had gained ground in recent elections.
Political Science Professor Jon Taylor, at the University of Texas at San Antonio, says immigration enforcement and economic pressures may have contributed to the shift:
SOT:
“It's interesting because the thought was that Republicans would get this was Abbott's people saying about 40% of the Latino vote did not happen, and the result because it didn't happen across the board for Republicans, they got swamped.”
TAG:
As Democrats prepare to take control of both chambers of commerce, political observers say their biggest challenge will be turning those wins into legislative gains.
Texas Democratic campaign consultant Sean Brisco says Republicans facing re-election in 2028 may be more willing to work across party lines:
SOT:
“They are looking at 2028 with fear in their eyes. So, I would bet money they will be very inclined to negotiate with the Democrats and help pass things through both houses. No problem.”
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INTRO:
In Arkansas… Democrats made big gains in the midterm elections for state legislative seats.
Little Rock Public Radio’s Daniel Breen reports:
SOT:
“Well, Democrats lost the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races. And with the 2nd Congressional District still too close to call, the party’s biggest wins of the night were in the state legislature. Democrats successfully flipped 10 seats, while another race still too close to call appears to be trending in Democrats’ favor….This breaks the Republicans’ supermajority in the House, meaning Democrats will have more of a say in legislation, especially funding bills which require a three-fourths vote to pass. The general legislative session kicks off in January.”
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The National Weather Service in Shreveport is calling for:
- Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, sunny today, with a high near 73.
- Tomorrow: more sun, with the high dipping a degree to 72.
- For the Weekend:more of the same mild conditions, with partly sunny conditions and highs hovering in the mid to low 60s.. before a gradual warming next week.
- A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect through mid-morning. Drivers are urged to use caution on area roadways.
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