Republicans and Democrats split two special congressional elections in Louisiana on Saturday.

Steve Scalise

As expected, Republican state Sen. Steve Scalise beat Democrat Gilda Reed, winning in commanding fashion by garnering 75 percent of the vote to Reed's 22 percent. Scalise takes over the suburban New Orleans 1st District formerly held by fellow Republican Bobby Jindal, who resigned in January before being sworn in as governor.

Democratic state Rep. Don Cazayoux defeated Republican Woody Jenkins by a narrower margin - 49 percent to 46 percent.

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne had predicted low voter turnout, between 15 percent and 20 percent.