GOP, Democrats exchange gains in Louisiana runoffs

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Republicans picked up a congressional seat in southern Louisiana yesterday, but gave another right back to Democrats in a second, much closer runoff election that was also in Cajun country.

A longtime Democratic bastion in Louisiana's 7th District went to Republican Charles Boustany, a retired heart surgeon. With 94 percent of the precincts reporting, Mr. Boustany had 72,223 votes or 55 percent, and Democratic state Sen. Willie Landry Mount had 58,968 or 45 percent.

Farther south, Billy Tauzin III narrowly lost a race to succeed his retiring father, a powerful House Republican. In the 3rd District, with 100 percent of precincts reporting, Democrat Charles Melancon had 57,609 votes, and Mr. Tauzin trailed him a little more than 500 votes, with 57,092.

The last bits of unfinished business from the 2004 congressional election season, both races were marked by heavy negative campaigning and light voter interest. The runoffs were necessary because none of the candidates won a 50 percent majority.

Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco had tried to drum up enthusiasm for their candidates, but parish officials said turnout was extremely low with voters apparently turned off by a relentless barrage of attack ads.

In the 3rd District along Louisiana's swampy southern coast, Mr. Melancon derided his 31-year-old opponent as a callow fraternity boy who was trying to inherit the seat from his 12-term incumbent father, Rep. Billy Tauzin Sr.

The younger Tauzin returned fire, calling Mr. Melancon a liberal who has voted in favor of sex-education for small children.

Republicans poured money into the other race, where Mr. Boustany portrayed Mr. Mount as a tax-happy liberal. Mr. Mount, in turn, accused Mr. Boustany of favoring tax cuts for the rich and not caring enough about health care reforms.

Mr. Boustany will fill the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Chris John, who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate this year.

Though Republicans have held the 3rd District for nearly a quarter-century, thanks to the popularity of the retiring Mr. Tauzin, Republicans had said their best chance was in the traditionally Democratic 7th District.

Democrats had hoped for a big turnout in the districts, which are nearly one-quarter black, but they didn't get it.

"With all the advertisements, I would have thought a lot of people are really, really turned off," said Bobby Boudreaux, court clerk in Terrebonne Parish in the 3rd District.