GOP 3 for 3 in Post-Election Run-Off Contests

The Republican has not had much to celebrate recently, suffering historic election losses in two consecutive elections and losing the White House. But since Election Day, Republican candidates have won three consecutive run-off elections, giving some in the party hope that Republicans' future political prospects are not as bleak as they seemed just one month ago.

The GOP run at success began with Sen. Saxby Chambliss' resounding win over Democrat Jim Martin in the Georgia Senate run-off. Chambliss had garnered just .2% less than the required 50% on Election Day, forcing the rematch. President-elect Barack Obama lent Martin some support, in the form of campaign volunteers and his voice in a radio ad and on robocalls. Still, Chambliss easily defeated Martin last Tuesday.

Next came Republican victories in two House contests in Louisiana. First, Anh Joseph Cao defeated corruption-tainted Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) in his heavily Democratic district. Jefferson has been indicted on bribery charges for allegedly accepting $90,000 in pay-offs related to his interests in a Nigerian telecommunications company. Cao ran on a good-government platform and won, leaving House Minority Leader John Boehner to comment that his victory could serve as a model for the Republican Party as it fights its way back from electoral irrelevancy.

"As House Republicans look ahead to the next two years, the Cao victory is a symbol of what can be achieved when we think big, present a positive alternative, and work aggressively to earn the trust of the American people."

Completing the string of victories, John Fleming won a narrow victory in Louisiana's fourth district race. Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan praised the victors as, "two strong conservative candidates," and hinted that the late election wins bode well for the party in future contests. "Coupled with the recent Senate win in Georgia, it's clear that Republicans still know how to win elections as we continue to build a solid foundation for the elections in 2010," Duncan said in a statement.

Republicans have a long way to go to regain the majorities they lost in Congress in 2006. But victories in these relatively small races build confidence, which attracts better candidates, and more money. If Republicans are able to make any gains in the 2010 Congressional elections, they may look back on these three races and see the point at which their electoral fortunes began to turn.

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