Closest U.S. Senate elections in Louisiana
The closest U.S. Senate election in Louisiana history was in 1996, a margin of 0.34 points. Mary L. Landrieu beat Louis Woody Jenkins, 852,945 to 847,157. Next closest are 2014 (4.3 points) and 1986 (5.6 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Louisiana has held, special elections included, see the Louisiana U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Louisiana history?
The Louisiana Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 1996, 0.34 points. Mary L. Landrieu beat Louis Woody Jenkins, 852,945 to 847,157. The next closest were 2014 (4.3 points) and 1986 (5.6 points).
How is the margin measured?
As the gap in vote share between the first and second-place finishers, from the certified general-election count. It is not adjusted for recounts, runoffs or later court rulings; the figure is the result as certified.
Does this include special elections?
No. These are the regular general elections for Louisiana’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Louisiana Senate hub, which lists every race including specials, and in a few states one of those is closer than anything here.
Why does the list start in 1914?
Because senators were chosen by state legislatures before the Seventeenth Amendment. 1914 is the first cycle of the popular-vote era for the Senate, so it is the first Louisiana election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996 | Mary L. Landrieu D def. Louis Woody Jenkins R | 852,945 – 847,157 | 0.34 points |
| 2 | 2014 | Bill Cassidy R def. Mary L. Landrieu D | 1,712,379 – 1,561,210 | 4.3 points |
| 3 | 1986 | John B. Breaux D def. W. Henson Moore R | 723,586 – 646,311 | 5.6 points |
| 4 | 2008 | Mary L. Landrieu D def. John Kennedy R | 988,298 – 867,177 | 6.4 points |
| 5 | 2002 | Mary L. Landrieu D def. Suzanne Haik Terrell R | 1,212,001 – 936,148 | 11.1 points |
| 6 | 2010 | David Vitter R def. Charlie Melancon D | 715,415 – 476,572 | 18.9 points |
| 7 | 1980 | Russell B. Long D def. Louis Woody Jenkins D | 484,770 – 325,922 | 18.9 points |
| 8 | 2004 | David Vitter R def. Christopher John D | 943,014 – 542,150 | 21.7 points |
| 9 | 1972 | J. Bennett Johnston Jr. D def. John J. McKeithen I | 598,987 – 250,161 | 32.2 points |
| 10 | 1998 | John B. Breaux D def. Jim Donelon R | 620,502 – 306,616 | 32.4 points |
| 11 | 2020 | Bill Cassidy R def. Adrian Perkins D | 1,228,908 – 394,049 | 40.3 points |
| 12 | 2022 | John Kennedy R def. Gary Chambers Jr. D | 851,568 – 246,933 | 43.7 points |
| 13 | 1962 | Russell B. Long D def. Taylor W. O'Hearn R | 318,838 – 103,066 | 51.1 points |
| 14 | 1960 | Allen J. Ellender D def. George W. Reese R | 432,228 – 109,698 | 59.5 points |
| 15 | 1950 | Russell B. Long D def. Charles S. Gerth R | 220,907 – 30,931 | 75.4 points |
| 16 | 1938 | John H. Overton D def. Maurice Clark I | 151,585 – 250 | 99.7 points |