Democrat Chasity Verret Martinez won a special election for a Louisiana state House seat in a district previously won by Donald Trump, while in Los Angeles, a city council member launched a mayoral challenge against the incumbent. Meanwhile, Japan's ruling party is projected to win a snap election, and Thailand held an election pitting reformists against conservatives.
Martinez defeated her Republican opponent, Brad Daigle, by a significant margin in the special election held Saturday night, according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State, as reported by CBS News. Martinez secured 62% of the vote compared to Daigle's 38% in the district that Trump won by 13 points in 2024. The special election was triggered by the appointment of the former Democratic state representative to a state commission. While the seat remained in Democratic hands, Republicans had viewed the district as a prime opportunity for a pickup.
In Los Angeles, City Council member Nithya Raman entered the race for mayor, challenging incumbent Karen Bass just hours before the filing deadline, Fox News reported. Raman, a progressive representing the city's 4th District, could create a high-stakes June primary. Candidates must either pay a filing fee and submit signatures or submit a larger number of signatures without a fee to qualify, according to the Los Angeles City Clerk's office. Nominating petitions are due by March.
Across the Pacific, Japan's ruling party, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is projected to secure a decisive win in Sunday's snap election, BBC World reported. Exit polls suggest the LDP-led coalition will win a majority. Takaichi, the country's first female prime minister, sought a clear public mandate just four months after becoming Liberal Democrat Party leader. Her success contrasts with her predecessors, under whom the party lost its parliamentary majority due to corruption scandals and rising costs.
Also, in Thailand, polls closed in an early election that pitted reformists against conservatives, BBC World reported. The election was called after several coalition governments collapsed, leading to three prime ministers in as many years. The election pitted those advocating for change, the People's Party, against conservatives led by incumbent PM Anutin Charnavirakul. Most polls predicted a close race.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment