Republican businessman Vance McAllister has won a special House election in Louisiana, an upset victory for a political newcomer.
McAllister defeated Louisiana state Sen. Neil Riser (R) by 60 percent to 40 percent with all precincts reporting. Riser had the endorsement of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) as well as members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation.
{mosads}McAllister had trailed Riser in the first round of voting but won the runoff by tacking to the center, saying he supported parts of ObamaCare. The move seemed risky in the heavily conservative district, but the all-party election system in Louisiana means Democrats and independents voted in the election of the two Republicans.
The businessman self-funded much of his campaign and portrayed himself as a political outsider, running ads featuring the endorsement of Willie Robertson, the star of the popular TV show “Duck Dynasty.”
He will replace former Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.), who left Congress for a job in Gov. Bobby Jindal’s (R) administration earlier this year.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) congratulated McAllister on his win.
“Congratulations are in order tonight for Representative-elect Vance McAllister following his victory in Louisiana’s 5th District special election,” Walden said in a statement. “A self-made businessman and Louisiana native, Vance’s priorities of fiscal responsibility and accountability will be an excellent addition to Louisiana’s delegation here in the Washington.”