Baton Rouge, LA – State Rep. Larry Selders has won the special election for Louisiana’s 14th State Senate District, clinching 62.4% of the vote and avoiding a runoff in a decisive victory over fellow Democrats Carolyn Hill (20.4%) and Quentin Anderson (17.3%). The race fills the vacancy left by Cleo Fields’ election to Congress, solidifying Selders’ position as a rising figure in Baton Rouge politics.
From left to right: Sen.-elect Larry Selders (D), Carolyn Hill (D), and Quentin Anthony Anderson (D)
But while Selders’ win was clear-cut, the real story of this election may be the shockingly low voter turnout. With just 6,657 ballots cast in a district of over 100,000 residents, voter participation was abysmally low. In a race with no Republican opposition, Democratic voters had full control over selecting their representative—and the overwhelming majority of them chose to stay home.
A Win for Selders, but a Loss for Voter Engagement
Selders’ victory confirms his strong support within established Democratic networks, but it also highlights a worrying trend: voter apathy in local and state-level elections remains a significant issue in Louisiana.
Despite the weight of this race—determining who will represent Baton Rouge in the State Senate during critical legislative battles—turnout was lower than many local municipal elections. The numbers suggest a disengaged electorate, either uninspired by the candidates or unaware of the race entirely.
“This kind of turnout is unacceptable for a functioning democracy,” said one political analyst. “When fewer than 7,000 people decide a state senate seat that represents over 100,000 residents, it raises serious concerns about political engagement, outreach, and civic responsibility.”
What Comes Next?
With his victory, Selders now moves to the State Senate, where he is expected to align with leadership on key legislative priorities. His previous work in the Louisiana House of Representatives and connections within the Baton Rouge political establishment give him a strong starting position.
For Hill and Anderson, the results indicate difficulty in challenging a well-connected candidate without broader voter engagement. Anderson, who previously ran for Congress, saw a sharp drop in voter support from his prior campaign, while Hill’s numbers were in line with past performances but did not grow enough to force a runoff.
The bigger question going forward is how Louisiana’s leaders will address the state’s growing voter disengagement. Low turnout in local and special elections has become a pattern, raising concerns about representation and the long-term health of democracy in the state.
Without significant efforts to educate and engage voters, the risk is that decisions impacting thousands of residents will continue to be made by only a tiny fraction of the electorate.
