Quentin Anthony Anderson’s latest campaign for public office ended not with a hard-fought battle, but with a resounding and undeniable defeat. In the special election for Louisiana’s 14th State Senate District, Anderson finished in a distant & shocking third place with just 1,149 votes (17.3%), well behind State Rep. Larry Selders, who secured an outright win with 62.4%, and Carolyn Hill, who finished with 20.4%.
This loss isn’t just another setback—it’s a glaring sign that Anderson’s political viability is in freefall. In a race where he had name recognition, a defined platform, and experience from a congressional campaign just months prior, he still failed to gain traction. Worse, his numbers continue to trend in the wrong direction. Compared to his previous runs, Anderson is not gaining ground—he’s losing it.
A Campaign That Failed to Connect
Anderson entered this race without the advantages of money or establishment endorsements, but that’s nothing new for an insurgent candidate. The real problem was that he failed to convert his message into real voter enthusiasm.
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Declining Vote Totals – In 2024, Anderson pulled over 23,800 votes in his congressional race, good for about 8% of the vote in a much larger district. In this smaller, more localized race, he couldn’t even crack 1,200 votes. That kind of drop-off suggests that his support is not just shrinking—it’s disappearing. His vote total in this special election was even less than his third place finish four years ago during his run for the Metro Council.
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An Unclear Path to Victory – Anderson ran as a progressive alternative, but against an established Democratic state representative with a built-in base & the endorsement of virtually the entire Baton Rouge Democratic elected class, that lane was never really open. Without the ability to outspend Selders, Anderson needed a groundswell of voter energy that simply never materialized.
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A Pattern of Coming Up Short – This marks Anderson’s third major defeat in recent years, and the worst by far. In this race, while he certainly wasn’t leading in the fundraising race, he enjoyed favorable media coverage, a wave of last minute endorsements, and an impressive volunteer ground game. On top of that, he was the only candidate who had been campaigning for the last calendar year. While some candidates grow stronger with each election, building a broader coalition over time, Anderson appears to be heading in the opposite direction. If the goal was to establish himself as a serious political figure, this result does the opposite.
Where Does He Go from Here?
Anderson speaking at a community town hall in Old South Baton Rouge (Photo credit: Anderson for Louisiana)
It’s difficult to see a viable political future for Anderson, 36, after this loss. He has now run multiple campaigns, each time finishing third and far behind the frontrunners. With no clear base of support and dwindling electoral returns, his credibility as a candidate has taken a serious hit.
That’s not to say Anderson hasn’t had an impact—he has inspired some young voters and has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies. But at some point, electoral politics is about winning, and right now, Anderson isn’t winning. If he hopes to stay in the game, he’ll need to seriously reassess his strategy, his messaging, and whether another run is even worth the effort.
The voters of District 14 made their choice this weekend. And this time, Anderson was barely an afterthought.
