Nation: Going One Up

Treen wins in Louisiana

As a Republican trying to become the Governor of Louisiana, David Treen, 51, faced an electorate that was 95% Democratic. What was more, no Republican had been elected to the office since Reconstruction. But last week the four-term Congressman defeated liberal Democrat Louis Lambert, 690,691 to 681,134.

Treen won by emphasizing his staunchly conservative stands in a state where the Democrats often vote like Republicans. Surprisingly, he got the backing of all the major Democrats that Lambert had beaten in the primary. A pro-union populist with a careening political style, Lambert hurt his own cause by suggesting Treen was guilty of political chicanery.

The victor hopes to help swing the state to the Republicans in the coming presidential election.