May 13, 2008
Posted: 10:15 PM ET
Democrat Travis Childers, left, beat Republican Greg Davis in a special election Tuesday in Mississippi.
Democrat Travis Childers, left, beat Republican Greg Davis in a special election Tuesday in Mississippi.

(CNN) — Democrat Travis Childers has defeated Republican Greg Davis in the special election for an open congressional seat in northern Mississippi, CNN projected Tuesday night, based on early returns.

Republicans have held the seat since 1994.

UPDATE: National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole said in a statement he is "disappointed" with the result.

"Republicans must undertake bold efforts to define a forward looking agenda that offers the kind of positive change voters are looking for," Cole also said. "This is something we can do in cooperation with our Presidential nominee, but time is short."

(Full Cole statement after the jump)

“We are disappointed in tonight’s election results. Though the NRCC, RNC and Mississippi Republicans made a major effort to retain this seat, we came up short.

“Tonight’s election highlights two significant challenges Republicans must overcome this November. First, Republicans must be prepared to campaign against Democrat challengers who are running as conservatives, even as they try to join a liberal Democrat majority. Though the Democrats’ task will be more difficult in a November election, the fact is they have pulled off two special election victories with this strategy, and it should be a concern to all Republicans.

“Second, the political environment is such that voters remain pessimistic about the direction of the country and the Republican Party in general. Therefore, Republicans must undertake bold efforts to define a forward looking agenda that offers the kind of positive change voters are looking for. This is something we can do in cooperation with our Presidential nominee, but time is short.

“I encourage all Republican candidates, whether incumbents or challengers, to take stock of their campaigns and position themselves for challenging campaigns this fall by building the financial resources and grassroots networks that offer them the opportunity and ability to communicate, energize and turn out voters this election.”

Filed under: House


Jacob   May 13th, 2008 10:50 pm ET

If the GOP can't win Mississippi then where do they plan on winning?

Omentum   May 13th, 2008 10:50 pm ET

Mississippi is in play ….. Obama 08

DrCats   May 13th, 2008 10:51 pm ET

The Republicans are gonna need more than Rev Wright snippets and commercials linking to Pelosi and Obama win these elections…

Nice job Mississippians!!! Good for you :)

Mike Lorain, OH   May 13th, 2008 10:52 pm ET

Congrats Childers, hopefully this is a sign of Good things to come. Finally, the America that I know will soon be back on track to repair the failed policies this administration and the failed policies of the recently, formerly lead GOP congress. END THE WAR!!

An objective Canadian   May 13th, 2008 10:54 pm ET

So much for Clinton's electability argument.

Nawlins Boy   May 13th, 2008 10:54 pm ET

None of the Gulf states will ever vote Republican again!

As a Hurricain Katrina survivor, I know that the days of Republican domination in the Gulf states are over!!

Go Obama!

cnn rocks   May 13th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

change is coming to america

john   May 13th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

DRIP DRIP DRIP…im not talkin superdelegates..im talking about republicans losing…

2008 is the year of the democrat

Jim   May 13th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

The Republicans are finished thank GOD.

James, Wichita, KS   May 13th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

"Change" is in the air!

Yasriel   May 13th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

Great news for Obama! This would nulify HRC win of WV today.

Darryl   May 13th, 2008 10:56 pm ET

I lived in Mississippi for most of my life, this story is spin. Mississippi has gone Democratic for Governors alot. This is not something special.

Nawlins Boy   May 13th, 2008 10:56 pm ET

REPUBLICANS, WE IN THE GULF STATES REMEMBER WHAT YOU AND YOUR PRESIDENT DID TO US AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA…..

WE SHALL NEVER VOTE REPUBLICAN AGAIN!

GO OBAMA.

Brian   May 13th, 2008 10:56 pm ET

GOP -friendly is very much an understatement.

Franky   May 13th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

I'll answer your question Anderson…….Republicans are in MAJOR trouble!!! I've een this coming since Lous. Like I said, the Reps are lucky, VERY lucky this Democratic race is still going on. But tell the Reps, they still got time to "change", O.K? They have to be very smart about this election…….and by the way, I'm not backing down with my statement that I said a while back…

If the Dems wouldv'e had a nominee at Super Tuesday, we couldv'e seen in this election one of the worst defeats in Republican history……there's no question about it but let's just say, is showing signs already…………..

Get with the program GOP!!!!!

Gerry   May 13th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

Typical Dumbocrats - ignore the lying flyer your candidate put out. Of course, sleaze is what your party is all about.

deidre   May 13th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

‘Applachia Virginia had no problem voting for African American Douglas Wilder in ‘89. Buchanan County, for example borders both West Virginia and Kentucky, is 97% white, and voted 90 percent to 9 percent for Clinton over Obama on February 12, but in 1989, it voted 59 percent to 41 percent for Wilder.

So, the notion that people are monolithically racist in Applachia and will not vote for Obama because of some sort of knee-jerk reaction to Obama’s ethnicity is largely false.’

Terri   May 13th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

Hurray! Way to go, Mississippi, for finally waking up and kicking the Republicans out! How about kicking the Republicans out of the Governor's Mansion for an encore?

mobspeak   May 13th, 2008 10:58 pm ET

You should have seen and heard the RNC coverage in Louisiana against the Democratic opponent. It was RELENTLESS, every 10 minutes. He won, of course, but it was ugly for weeks. Are we rebeling against Republican ideas or really ugly negative ads?

Mike   May 13th, 2008 10:59 pm ET

GOP To-Do List:
1. Get new strategy for local candidates. Linking them to Sen. Obama isn't working (they are 0-2 on that score, and it's early in the year).
2. Somehow get Bob Barr to not run for president. He'll peel away crucial right wing voters from McSame.
3. Hope for a miracle this November.

Khannenje   May 13th, 2008 10:59 pm ET

sobering news for GOP negative ad peddlers. The movement is unstoppable. The wave is real. Try something else. The Obama train has left the station

Kerry Chapman, CPO USN ret.   May 13th, 2008 10:59 pm ET

Well, doesnt say much for a presidential hopefull to give up as Obama did in the fight for West Virgina. For Donna set there on national TV and tell you she is uncommitted, when its obvious she is an Obama supporter. Really speaks highly of her and the Democratic Party. Makes you wonder if Obama is as wishy washy as Donna is.
At least McCain or Hillary are determined and committed. At least
you know where thier headed. Like a box of chocolates, never know
what you will get.

John   May 13th, 2008 10:59 pm ET

OMG… does anyone care about this or the Hollow Hilary win?
We all know you prefer to peddle the news rather than report it - but this?

Mike O.   May 13th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

Wonders never cease. A Democrat wins (by around 6%) in a very-very Republican district. Especially after a visit by VP Cheney, lavish spending on negative Obama/Pelosi hogwash, and oodles of robo-calls from Laura and John Sidney McCain III.

As Karl Rove provides to Obama, here's some friendly advice to the GOP — try something new. What you're doin' ain't workin'.

Good night and good luck.

Craig Nazor   May 13th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

It's like the boy who cried "wolf" - the politics of fear and division will only work this time around if there is truly something to fear in other Americans and truly a reason for Americans to be divided. There is not. There really never has been. For the first time in a long time, more Americans are paying attention and making decisions for themselves, because it is now obvious how much is at stake.

Crying "wolf" won't work - not this time. So who to vote for in this election - those who say we can't, or those who say we can?

Karen   May 13th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

Seemingly not all Arkansas governors are liars. Mike Huckabee candidly admitted this was a "bad sign" for GOP. Travis Childers was painted as Obama alike in this republican state and, yet, he came out a winner. That said much to Clinton's electibility doctorine. This victory easily erases any insignificance Clinton has had tonight.

Sam   May 13th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

The Republicans are in real hot water. If they want to win any contest, they need not mention Obama at all. Obama is the man for this era. Signs of things to come!

Lee   May 13th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

Clintons, you have failed the test of life. We now know where the bigot democrats live. What excuse do you have for voting that way West Virginia and Pensilvania?

Nawlins Boy   May 13th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

LOUISIANA & MISSISSIPPI ARE FOR THE DEMOCRATS THIS FALL.

KATRINA PAYBACK!

Go Obama!

Truth   May 13th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

Americans of all walk of life have outrightly rejected GOP strategy. In my humble opinion, continuation of fearmongering and race baiting will doom the GOP come Nov. Rev, Wright and bitter commend are equally rejected. Americans want their candidates to talk about issues not who was in the same Church, bus, theatre with who. In deed, IL senator is GOP worse nightmare. No wonder they hate him at Foxnews. Congrats Congressman Childers

Danh nguyen   May 13th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

Nowaday, no one wants the Republican to be his / her rep. The Republican is only good at making its people poor and hungry.

Addie Staten Island New York   May 13th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

Clinton is determined to tear apart the Democratic Party! I don't know who she thinks she is but she is REALLY screwing it up for us all!

PATTI YOUNGSTOWN OHIO   May 13th, 2008 11:06 pm ET

THIS IS WHY IT WILL BE OK FOR HILLARY SUPPORTERS TO VOTE FOR McCAIN - WE WILL HAVE A DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE IN PLACE AND McCAIN WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM - AS HE HAS A HISTORY OF DOING - I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR obama AND I AM A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT - I WILL VOTE FOR McCAIN IF I CAN NOT VOTE FOR HILLARY- McCAIN WILL MOST LIKELY BE A 1 TERM PRESIDENT - IF NOT NOW - HILLARY IN 2012!!

susants   May 13th, 2008 11:06 pm ET

Bravo!

Daniel   May 13th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

Go Obama!!!!!!

Terri   May 13th, 2008 11:10 pm ET

Go Obama!!!!!!!!!! Get out, Hillary!

Mike in NYC   May 13th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

BO got only 35% of the white Democrat/Independent vote back in March, and 24% of the Repubs.

Prentiss county is 13% black (like the nation as a whole). Childers still got less than half the white vote.

An objective(?) Canadian wrote:

"So much for Clinton's electability argument."

Your "logic" eludes me. Please elaborate.

John in KY   May 13th, 2008 11:13 pm ET

Another BUSHWACKER bites the dust!!!!!!!!!

LightInTheDarkness   May 13th, 2008 11:16 pm ET

For the few bitter Republicans who posted messages - This win for the Democrats is SIGNIFICANT and HISTORIC. This district voted 62% for George W. Bush in 2004. Democrats are not supposed to be able to win seats with those kinds of numbers, and for the Democratic candidate to win by 8 POINTS is AMAZING!!! I think Mike Huckabee was right, things are looking very bad for Republicans this fall.

ColoradoDem   May 13th, 2008 11:16 pm ET

Glad to see people saw through the Republican smear!

John   May 13th, 2008 11:17 pm ET

To those redneck from Pensilvania and West Virginia, you have shown your true color. Bigotry is a disease; if you can read this message, I hope you go see a shrink. Since both Hillary and Obama want almost the same thing, who do you think is more honest? Now who did you vote for will say alot about you.

Clinton Supporter   May 13th, 2008 11:17 pm ET

You are so right, Patti-Youngstown Ohio! 'Weve waited this long. We can wait another four years. I, too, am a life long Democrat, and I, too, will vote for McCain. If the snake oil salesman wins, he'll deserve what he gets, but we won't. Oh, well. Howard Dean knows best, self serving jerk that he is. With any luck we'll have Hillary back in New York State where she won a second term with a mere 67% of the vote. Four more years from the hard working senator, then it's Hillary 2012. The one exceptionI will make to my No More Democrats policy will be to vote for Charles Schumer, who is an impressive and fine US senator. New York State is lucky to have both of them. I guess the rest of the country will have to limp along with less than the best. But, as I said, Howard Dean knows best - doesn't he????

AJ, IL   May 13th, 2008 11:18 pm ET

This is the big election result of tonight…not the large margin win for Hillary in West Virginia. Hillary was expected to win big in West Virginia where 6 out of 10 people exit polled said Bill Clinton's presence influenced their decision.

The significance of this house race is that the Republicans threw out many heavy hitters from Dick Cheney to Mike Huckabee to compaign in that Mississippi district on behalf of Greg Davis. The Republican Party even tried to link Childers to Rev. Wright through Obama, but the voting public rejected it.

This victory is the third of its kind. Bill Foster won former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert's seat in Illinois where Obama campaigned for him. A Republican Louisana district for the last 20 years opted for Louisiana Democrat Don Cazayoux even with the Louisana Republican party trying to link negatively Obama to Cazayoux.

The House Democrats are benefitting tremendously from the change mantra that Obama has outlined.

MississippiVoterFirstDistrict   May 13th, 2008 11:18 pm ET

I live in the first district and this should not reflect the how the votes will be cast in Nov. First Greg Davis was not the stronger Republican candidate and he is also from DeSoto County. This county is a Memphis suburb and many voters in North Mississippi did not like the idea of a Congressman being from that part of the district. Also the Republican Greg Davis beat, in the primary, did not endorse or help campaign for Davis because of the bitter primary. Many voters from Lee County (the other Republican's home county) did not vote because of the dislike for both candidates. Lee County has a large Republican majority and it went to Childers because of the lack of Republican voters voting in the special election. Both of these candidates were not the best of choice of candidates. Also Childers and Davis will run again in the November general election and this means Davis could win. Time will tell, but this should not be seen a landmark victory for the Democrats.

David in KC   May 13th, 2008 11:19 pm ET

The Redneck Riviera turning Blue?! This will be a bad year for the rightwingers. They had 8 years of solid rule and Still failed on every front, worse than anyone could have imagined. Thank You Little George and Karl Rove! You've just exterminated trhe GOP's chances of winning anything for decades to come.

Denial   May 13th, 2008 11:20 pm ET

Nawlins Boy May 13th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

LOUISIANA & MISSISSIPPI ARE FOR THE DEMOCRATS THIS FALL.

KATRINA PAYBACK!

Go Obama!
_________________________________________________________
I agree

i predict 30% of electoral vote for REP & 70% for DEM ……………

states that were once red for decades will be blue come Nov

remember this post & day …………

Obama4Life   May 13th, 2008 11:22 pm ET

This is awesome! The republicans do not stand a chance in November! They can't even win in the conservative south anymore! First in Louisiana, and now Mississippi! This is proof that Obama is going to win big in the general election, since just a mention of his name in negative ads against democrat candidates helps them to win! We are tired of the attack ads and negative propaganda against Obama, and he will become stronger with each new attack the conservatives launch against him.

Go democrats and Obama 08!

Steve, Cedar Rapids, Iowa   May 13th, 2008 11:26 pm ET

After these results I wonder how many Republicans who have been singing Bush's praises for years will want him to campaign for them this fall. My guess is not much and the Democrats will remind people that a vote for McCain is a a vote for four more years of Bush.In 2006 everyone that Bush campaigned for the last few eeks LOST. You won't see much of him and not much of Cheney either. I can't wait to get these guys out of office. Somebody voted for them but sure can't find many people who will admit the voted for them.

Susan, PA   May 13th, 2008 11:26 pm ET

HILLARY 2012 because White House is owned by Bush-Clintons.

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