VIDALIA, La. &045; As in the rest of the state, the last two political races of the year were close in Concordia Parish, but local voters went with the winners in both cases.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, who barely hung onto her seat Saturday, came out ahead of Republican challenger Suzanne Haik Terrell 53.45 percent to 46.55 percent in Concordia.

Vidalia and Ferriday Mayors Hyram Copeland and Glen McGlothin both rallied behind Landrieu, but obviously, not all Concordians supported the New Orleans Democrat.

Precincts in Monterey and Ridgecrest voted overwhelmingly for Terrell, who is soon to step down as state elections commissioner as her department is merged with the Secretary of State’s Office.

The race for the Fifth Congressional District seat was even tighter, although not quite as tight as it was districtwide.

State Rep. Rodney Alexander, D-Quitman, who won the election by only about 500 votes in the entire district, beat Republican Lee Fletcher 51.38 percent to 48.62 percent in Concordia.

Alexander will take the reigns in Washington from U.S. Rep. John Cooksey, R-Monroe, who ran an unsuccessful bid to unseat Landrieu in November.

Earlier in the week, Concordia Parish Clerk of Court Clyde Ray Webber predicted voter turnout to be rather low. His guess was 40 percent.

With 5,244 Concordians &045; 40.1 percent of registered voters &045; casting their ballots, Webber turned out to be right on the money.

&uot;What did I tell you?&uot; he said.