Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, is facing one of the biggest challenges of her political career. She is running for a third term in an unfavorable year for Democrats and in a red state that has voted for Republican presidential nominees in the past two cycles. Here she waves before speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on August 26, 2008. Click through the gallery for scenes from Landrieu's political life.
Landrieu's political career —
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, is facing one of the biggest challenges of her political career. She is running for a third term in an unfavorable year for Democrats and in a red state that has voted for Republican presidential nominees in the past two cycles. Here she waves before speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on August 26, 2008. Click through the gallery for scenes from Landrieu's political life.
Jae C. Hong/AP
In 1996, as a freshman senator, Mary Landrieu survived a bruising runoff and narrow win in her home state of Louisiana before finally assuming office. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, pose with Landrieu and other new senators after a bipartisan orientation session on Capitol Hill on December 3, 1996.
Landrieu's political career —
In 1996, as a freshman senator, Mary Landrieu survived a bruising runoff and narrow win in her home state of Louisiana before finally assuming office. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, pose with Landrieu and other new senators after a bipartisan orientation session on Capitol Hill on December 3, 1996.
Dennis Cook/AP
Women senators gesture during a meeting on Capitol Hill on January 9, 1997 in which they discussed opportunities for bipartisan cooperation in the 105th Congress. Landrieu is currently one of only 20 women in the Senate.
Landrieu's political career —
Women senators gesture during a meeting on Capitol Hill on January 9, 1997 in which they discussed opportunities for bipartisan cooperation in the 105th Congress. Landrieu is currently one of only 20 women in the Senate.
Joe Marquett/AP
Landrieu has prided herself on taking positions that, at times, run counter to conventional wisdom about Democrats. Here she and former Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, testify, with Christopher Reeve directly behind them, before the a congressional committee hearing on the dangers of cloning and the promise of regenerative medicine on March 5, 2002.
Landrieu's political career —
Landrieu has prided herself on taking positions that, at times, run counter to conventional wisdom about Democrats. Here she and former Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, testify, with Christopher Reeve directly behind them, before the a congressional committee hearing on the dangers of cloning and the promise of regenerative medicine on March 5, 2002.
Mark F. Sypher/Roll Call/Getty Images)
Landrieu takes the oath of office with Vice President Dick Cheney, her husband Frank Snellings and son, Connor, during a mock swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill on January 7, 2003. Landrieu had just survived yet another tough runoff election in late 2002 in her quest to keep her Senate seat.
Landrieu's political career —
Landrieu takes the oath of office with Vice President Dick Cheney, her husband Frank Snellings and son, Connor, during a mock swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill on January 7, 2003. Landrieu had just survived yet another tough runoff election in late 2002 in her quest to keep her Senate seat.
Evan Vucc/AP
Landrieu talks with tsunami survivors at a refugee camp in Sri Lanka on January 6, 2005, just eight months before her own state of Louisiana and hometown of New Orleans would face massive destruction from Hurricane Katrina.
Landrieu's political career —
Landrieu talks with tsunami survivors at a refugee camp in Sri Lanka on January 6, 2005, just eight months before her own state of Louisiana and hometown of New Orleans would face massive destruction from Hurricane Katrina.
Vincent Thian/AP
Landrieu looks over areas of New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina during a helicopter tour with then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco on August 30, 2005. Landrieu would go on to staunchly criticize FEMA's handling of recovery efforts in the aftermath of the storm.
Landrieu's political career —
Landrieu looks over areas of New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina during a helicopter tour with then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco on August 30, 2005. Landrieu would go on to staunchly criticize FEMA's handling of recovery efforts in the aftermath of the storm.
Bill Feig/Pool/AP
Landrieu's political support includes her state's business community. As Senate Small Business Committee chairwoman, Landrieu showed charts of Louisiana during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 20, 2010 in Washington.
Landrieu's political career —
Landrieu's political support includes her state's business community. As Senate Small Business Committee chairwoman, Landrieu showed charts of Louisiana during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 20, 2010 in Washington.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Landrieu hails from a political dynasty which includes her brother, former lieutenant governor, state legislator and New Orleans Mayor<strong> </strong>Mitch Landrieu, and her father, former New Orleans mayor and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Maurice "Moon" Landrieu. They chatted over breakfast with then-Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Charlie Melancon at Betsy's Pancake House in New Orleans on November 2, 2010.
Landrieu's political career —
Landrieu hails from a political dynasty which includes her brother, former lieutenant governor, state legislator and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and her father, former New Orleans mayor and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Maurice "Moon" Landrieu. They chatted over breakfast with then-Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Charlie Melancon at Betsy's Pancake House in New Orleans on November 2, 2010.
Gerald Herber/AP
Incumbent New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu hugged his sister, Sen. Mary Landrieu, after winning re-election in New Orleans February 1, 2014.
Landrieu's political career —
Incumbent New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu hugged his sister, Sen. Mary Landrieu, after winning re-election in New Orleans February 1, 2014.
Gerald Herbert/AP
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, speaks at the swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Ray Nagin at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on June 1, 2006.
Landrieu's political career —
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, speaks at the swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Ray Nagin at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on June 1, 2006.
Alex Brandon/AP