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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – State Treasurer John Kennedy has easily defeated Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell in the race for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

The Associated Press and Decision Desk have both called the election in favor of Kennedy, a Baton Rouge Republican who’s been elected state treasurer five times.

“Somebody once said winning isn’t everything, and that’s true, but it sure does feel good,” Kennedy said as he opened his election night victory speech.  “This campaign never was about me … this campaign was about change versus status quo. I believe that America’s best days lie ahead. I wouldn’t have run had I not believed that. I believe our future can be better than our past, but not if we keep going in the direction that Washington insiders have taken us the last eight years.”

Kennedy and Campbell, D-Bossier Parish, were vying to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie. Vitter decided not to seek re-election after he ran against Gov. John Bel Edwards last year in the gubernatorial race and lost.

President-elect Donald Trump was in Baton Rouge Friday to campaign for Kennedy.

Kennedy ran against former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu in 2008 and lost. He has been favored to win the Senate election since the runoff was determined in November.

Decision Desk is an independent election polling group.

According to the Decision Desk Twitter page, it has been “providing independent U.S. election returns since 2014, exit polls since 2016. America’s second set of eyes on election night.”

Foster Campbell, left, and John Kennedy, right
Foster Campbell, left, and John Kennedy, right