A Democrat scored a major win in a Louisiana special election this week, raising fresh questions about voter behavior in districts that strongly supported President Donald Trump just months ago.
Chastity Verret Martinez won the special election for Louisiana House District 60, defeating Republican Brad Daigle by a commanding margin in a district Trump carried during the 2024 presidential election.
According to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State, Martinez received approximately 62 percent of the vote, while Daigle finished with 38 percent. Because Louisiana uses a special primary system that awards the seat outright when a candidate earns a majority, no runoff election will take place.
Martinez will replace former Democratic state Rep. Chad Brown, who vacated the seat after accepting a state government appointment.
Trump Won the District — But Voters Chose a Democrat Locally
House District 60, covering parts of Assumption and Iberville Parishes, has traditionally supported Democrats in state elections, while showing a growing preference for Republicans in national contests, particularly presidential races.
In 2024, President Trump carried the district by roughly 56 percent to 43 percent over former Vice President Kamala Harris. His strongest showing came in Assumption Parish, where he earned more than 67 percent of the vote. Iberville Parish was far more competitive, with Trump narrowly trailing Harris by less than one percentage point.
Political observers say the results reflect a growing trend nationwide: voters are increasingly willing to split their ballots, backing Republicans for national leadership while supporting Democrats in state and local races.
Local Issues Took Center Stage
Martinez’s campaign focused heavily on bread-and-butter issues that resonate at the community level. She emphasized lowering insurance costs, strengthening local infrastructure, and expanding access to health care — including mental health and substance-abuse services.
She also promoted government transparency, support for public education, and policies aimed at helping working families. Throughout the race, Martinez highlighted her background as a longtime community advocate, pointing to her work with food pantries and family assistance programs as evidence of practical leadership.
Additional Louisiana Special Election Results
Voters across Louisiana also cast ballots in several other special elections:
- In House District 97 in New Orleans, Ed Murray narrowly defeated fellow Democrat Eugene Green.
- House District 100 produced no majority winner, sending Kenya Rounds and Dana Henry to a March 14 runoff.
- In State Senate District 3, Sidney J. Barthelemy II and Kenn Barnes advanced to a runoff after neither candidate surpassed 50 percent.
- House District 37 was decided outright, with Reese “Skip” Broussard winning the special primary.
Party Reactions Highlight Political Divide
Louisiana Democrats celebrated Martinez’s victory on social media, pointing out that she won despite being significantly outspent.
“She was outspent three-to-one and still won,” the party wrote. “This is what happens when grassroots Democrats organize.”
Daigle responded with a gracious concession, congratulating Martinez and thanking supporters for their involvement in the campaign.
What This Means Going Forward
Martinez is expected to be sworn into the Louisiana House of Representatives once the election results are certified. While the outcome does not change control of the chamber, it adds to ongoing discussions about voter behavior, ticket-splitting, and how local issues can override national political loyalties — even in districts that strongly support President Trump.
As both parties look ahead to the 2026 midterms and beyond, races like this are likely to be closely watched.