Livingston Successor Elected in Runoff

Former state Rep. David Vitter was elected to succeed Bob Livingston in Congress, winning a close election over former Gov. Dave Treen. With 99% of the precincts reporting, Vitter got 51% to Treen’s 49%. The two solidly conservative Republican lawyers, both veteran politicians, struggled to point out their differences after they were the top finishers in a field of nine in a May 1 primary. The runoff campaign was interrupted in its final week when Treen’s 20-year-old grandson disappeared during a hike in the Oregon wilderness. He was found safe Wednesday. Livingston was chairman of the Appropriations Committee and in line to be House speaker last year when he learned, as House members moved toward impeaching President Clinton, that news of his past marital infidelities was about to break. He confessed and resigned.