Boustany trounces Landry for La congressional seat

Landry said it was difficult to overcome Boustany's advantage in the district design. Boustany had represented more than two-thirds of the parishes in the configuration of the new 3rd District.

Though they had three other challengers in the November election, the two congressmen had campaigned as though it were a two-man race for months.

Boustany cast his GOP opponent as a good ol' boy politician who would say anything to get elected, habitually skipped votes in Congress and spread distortions about Boustany's record to distract voters from his own lack of accomplishments.

Landry criticized Boustany as lacking the courage to make tough votes for his district and instead following in lockstep with Republican leaders even if south Louisiana voters didn't support the policy.

The race was one of Louisiana's most expensive congressional contests, with nearly $6 million spent between the two and even more from outside groups. Boustany had a significant edge in fundraising, raising nearly $2 million more than Landry, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.