Mary Landrieu’s Defeat Cements Historic GOP Gains in House, Senate

Following the re-election defeat of Sen.Mary Landrieu (D-LA) on Saturday night by Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the Republican Party grew their majority in the upper chamber by 9 seats. 

This net gain in the Senate, The Hill is reporting, is the 2nd largest either party ever earned. In the 1980 elections, the GOP netted 12 Senate seats.

The Associated Press is also noting that House seats won by the Republican Party on Saturday night now gives the Party a 246-188 majority over Democrats. This kind of majority by Republicans has not seen been seen since Democrat Harry S. Truman was President.

A recount in a Tuscon, Arizona district occupied by Rep. Ron Barber (D-AZ) will reveal if Barber will be defeated by Republican challenger Martha McSally. According to the AP, McSally currently leads by less than 200 votes. If McSally wins, the GOP will then have the largest majority since the 1929-31 term, Republicans held 270 seats during President Herbert Hoover’s administration. AZ Central reports these results will likely be available between December 16.