Looking at precinct data and comparing against other races in the recent past, I'll give this the "Looziana English" treatment: Chasity Martinez was the equivalent of John Bel Edwards 2015/9 & far outpaced typical Democratic margins of support in the district
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(1) White EDay turnout was 21%, while black turnout was 15% (in the River Parishes, Democrats still have a robust turnout infrastructure) (2) Black EV turnout was much lower than it was in 2024 - and even in the 2023 Governor's race
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2026:72-27% white/black and 47-39% Dem/Rep
2024:64-34% white/black and 49-37% D/R
2023: 62-37% white/black and 54-33% D/R
(3) This district pre Trump 2016 ALWAYS voted Dem (4) IOW, Inds/less partisan Reps (who my polling showed had a 20% defection to the Dem) matter.A LOT.
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First, let's discuss East Baton Rouge Parish. This is one of the three largest parishes (the other two are Jefferson and Orleans), and it contains the State Capitol, LSU, Southern (which is a HBCU), and the ExxonMobil refinery/chemical plant.
EBR was historically a Republican island amidst populist parishes that had large black populations and pro labor sentiment, thanks to the petrochemical corridor. Today, it's a blue island (one of 7 parishes to vote for Kamala Harris) surrounded by Rep leaning to GOP parishes
1. FLORIDA: Understated Trump margin 2.3% in 2016 and 4.9% in 2020/3.6% average understatement
2. NORTH CAROLINA: Understated Trump margin 3.5% in 2016 and 3.2% in 2020/3.4% average understatement
2a. 7 day avg of NC polls shows Trump up 48-47%
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3. MICHIGAN: Understated Trump margin 4.0% in 2016 and 5.2% in 2020/4.6% average understatement
3a. 7 day avg of MI polls shows Harris up 48-47%
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This was a two Democrat race between a progressive Baton Rouge candidate and an "Establishment" New Orleans 18 year incumbent. Couple of lessons here:
1. As a member of a body regulating utility rates, you already have a tough job. Which was
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exacerbated with the bumbling that occurred with power outages after ice storms and hurricanes. 2. PSC rates aren't strictly partisan contests in that utility rates/utility performance are issues that cross party lines (like potholes do if you're Mayor)
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While the polls won't close for 9 more hours, thought I'd give some highlights on the major races today I'll be following, starting with my home parish of East Baton Rouge:
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1. APPEALS COURT: East Baton Rouge is one part of the Gret Stet that has been moving to the left - it hasn't supported a Republican President since 2004, and it only gave John Kennedy 46% of the vote (he won statewide with 62%).
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Democrats started the week with a massive advantage (a 46-38% black/white plurality with an 182K EV volume) before all 159 counties could vote. Since then, they've largely done well with EVing. What about yesterday?
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1. Mon ONLY:323K,54-34% white/black 2. Tue only:329K,57.5-31% white/black 3. Wed only:315K,59-28% white/black 4. Thurs only:324K,58-29% white/black 5. While Wed/Thurs have been more favorable for Reps, they're digging out of an 833K EV "hole" (like what happened in PA)
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6. So can Republicans "come back" and win this race? Here's how they could: 7. Today is the last day to early vote. That last day always brings out an elevated EV volume, which I'm projecting to be 350-375K
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