WASHINGTON – Louisiana leaders in the U.S. House downplayed Tuesday's Democratic electoral victories — other than to say radical leftists took over the minority party.

But some political observers say their rhetoric masked an opening for Democrats — even in Louisiana, where Republicans have dominated for more than a decade.

“It’s been interesting to us to see all the pundits trying to spin the results,” House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-Benton, said Thursday.

“There were no surprises on Tuesday night. You had blue states and blue cities that voted blue to the alarm of no one, to the surprise of no one,” added Johnson, who coordinated messaging for House Republicans before assuming the top spot.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, picked up Johnson’s line that the Demo

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