NEW ORLEANS — Will Landrieu and his cousins, Adam and Joe, often play tag at their aunt’s political fundraisers. Their games usually result in a scolding from Will’s dad, Mitch, the mayor of New Orleans.
But Tuesday, the three boys weren’t playing tag.
“People are going to be on the edge a little,” Adam said.
The boys are bred to treat election parties and political fundraisers light-heartedly, but this time was different.
“We usually win,” Joe said.
Though incumbent Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu did not win outright in Tuesday’s jungle primary, she will still have a chance at a fourth term in the U.S. Senate when she faces off against Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in a runoff Dec. 6.
When Landrieu took to the stage around 10 p.m., she was surrounded by family, supporters and prominent Democratic lawmakers.
“Now we have the race that we have wanted,” Landrieu told the audience.
Landrieu challenged Cassidy to six hourlong debates before the Dec. 6 runoff — one for each year of a Senate term — and called out Cassidy’s repeated references to President Barack Obama throughout the race.
“You’re going to have to say Mr. Cassidy more than Mr. Obama’s name in the debates,” Landrieu said. “This race is not about who the president is, who the president was or who the president will be.”
Before Landrieu walked out on stage, campaign staffers rushed to pass around posters emphasizing a new battle cry before the runoff.
Referencing veteran affairs, women’s issues, hurricane recovery efforts and student loans, Landrieu rallied her supporters to shout, “Where was Bill?”
Landrieu did not reference the Republicans’ takeover of the Senate — a GOP victory that could complicate her road to a fourth term.
University political science professor James Garand said Monday that Landrieu’s campaign could be jeopardized if Republican control of the Senate gives Cassidy momentum heading into the runoff and halts Democratic funds from pumping into the state.
Landrieu addressed the end of Republican candidate Col. Robert Maness’ campaign in her speech. Maness did not gain enough support at the polls to advance to the runoff.
Landrieu thanked Maness for participating in debates over the course of the election and his years of service in the Air Force.
“At least we have one value in common: We know how to show up and fight,” Landrieu said.
Cassidy declined invitations to two debates throughout the primary race.
Before closing her speech, Landrieu quoted a Bible passage from the Book of Isaiah. Part of the verse included the phrase, “they shall run and not be worn.”
“Bill Cassidy, you cannot run, you cannot hide anymore,” Landrieu said. “This race starts tonight.”