Top 10 Contested Officeholders

In 1996, Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu — daughter of noted New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu — narrowly defeated Republican State Representative Woody Jenkins in the race for U.S. Senate. Jenkins, however, refused to concede, alleging voter fraud and intimidation. Initially having filed a lawsuit, only to rescind it due to lack of evidence, Jenkins asked the Senate to take up the investigation. Majority Leader Trent Lott did so, but sat Landrieu anyway "without prejudice." While the Rules Committee investigated Jenkins' claims, Landrieu essentially served as a senator with full privileges. In 1997, the committee ruled that the irregularities they did find were not indicative of a widespread attempt to steal the vote and Landrieu served out her term and went on to win two more.