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Democrat Nabs Unlikely Miss. House Seat

Upset victory in deep red district sends panic through GOP

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 14, 2008 7:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – Democrats scored a shocking upset last night, nabbing a House seat in a deeply conservative Mississippi district. Democrat Travis Childers prevailed 54% to 46% in the special election, Politico reports, soundly overcoming a nearly $2 million GOP campaign. Coming from a county that threw Bush 62% of its support in 2004, the results are panic-inducing for the GOP.

“This loss is going to prompt serious introspection by our conference to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it,” said one high-ranking party aide. “The next couple of days are not going to be pretty.” Republicans tried to nationalize the race, linking Childers to Barack Obama, and bringing in heavy-hitters like John McCain and President Bush to help.

Flanked by family and friends, Travis Childers delivers his victory speech in Booneville, Miss., Tuesday night May 13, 2008.
Flanked by family and friends, Travis Childers delivers his victory speech in Booneville, Miss., Tuesday night May 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Michael H. Miller)
Travis Childers takes a congratulatory phone call while greeting supporters Tuesday night May 13, 2008 in Booneville, Miss.
Travis Childers takes a congratulatory phone call while greeting supporters Tuesday night May 13, 2008 in Booneville, Miss.   (AP Photo/Michael H. Miller)
Travis Childers speaks to a capacity crowd in the Claude Wright Room on the campus of Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Miss., Tuesday night May 13, 2008.
Travis Childers speaks to a capacity crowd in the Claude Wright Room on the campus of Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Miss., Tuesday night May 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Michael H. Miller)
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