Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., made the U.S. Senate runoff election, and while his eyes are on Washington, D.C., his roots are still back home.
As Cassidy’s supporters filled the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge for the campaign’s election watch party, Cassidy’s childhood friend, Jim Hogg, dressed in colonial attire with his son, James Linden Hogg, for the party. Both stood out among the suit-clad crowd.
The pair said they play patriotic music of America’s founding fathers, which is why they dressed in colonial clothing for Cassidy’s event.
Jim didn’t come to the party to show his support for Bill, but rather for the Tara High School football teammate he affectionately knew as “Billy.” While Cassidy chanted ambitions of change, Jim said he expects his humble, down-to-earth friend to be a great senator.
“Some people change,” Jim said. “But not Billy.”
After the results were announced, small-businessman Clay Young said he chest-bumped Cassidy prior to coming on stage. Young introduced Cassidy as “the next U.S. senator.”
As the crowd repeatedly chanted “Bill,” Cassidy ran onto the stage, pointing and waving to family and friends in the crowd. He was joined on stage by his wife and two daughters. His son was absent.
Guests quickly flooded the Cassidy election night party, some even walking back and forth from Louisiana 6th Congressional District candidate Garret Graves’ celebration.
The party opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. With the conclusion of the Pledge of Allegiance, a resounding “hoorah” echoed from the front of the room.
Later, a political hum filled the air.
Although many supporters presumably knew of the results via Twitter or the TV screens scattered throughout the room, their enthusiasm remained at the same level throughout the night.
However, the campaign will not take the runoff lightly. Several interns and Cassidy said they will hit the ground running in upcoming weeks.
Political science senior and campaign intern Julia Robbins said the Cassidy campaign expected a runoff, and the election night party shows how far the campaign has come.
Robbins said she expects the next month of campaigning to be more intense than ever.
Mass communication sophomore Huong Dao, also a Cassidy intern, said she is looking forward to the next month leading to the runoff on Dec. 6.
Cassidy’s staff said the campaign will double down in the next month, taking no vote for granted.
“Tonight, 60 percent of the people of Louisiana have voted for change,” Cassidy said.
Instead of Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., supporting President Barack Obama 97 percent, Cassidy said he will support the people of Louisiana 100 percent.
“We have got 32 more days to make sure that change is completed,” Cassidy said.
He rallied supporters to make the next 32 days count.
“I look forward to being your next United States senator,” Cassidy said as he concluded the night.