under Republican control." Recent elections The shift of the white majority in the state into the Republican Party has continued in the 21st century. Because of demographic changes and political realignment, the Democratic Party has won fewer offices at the statewide and national levels in Louisiana. In 2004 Democrats held both Senate seats as well as six statewide offices. However, in February 2011, Buddy Caldwell, Louisiana Attorney General and the only statewide elected Democrat, switched to the Republican Party of Louisiana. In September 2011, the Democratic Party did not field a major candidate for any of the statewide offices for the November elections. Despite this, the Democratic Party appears to be keeping its appeal at a local level. In November 2011, Democrats retained 45 seats in the Louisiana House of Representatives, and added five new members; the House has a total of 105 members. First female chair In April 2012, the party's governing Committee, the 210-member State Central Committee, elected Karen Carter Peterson as chair, ousting former party leader Claude "Buddy" Leach. Peterson was the first female, and the second African American, to serve as party chair in the Louisiana Democratic Party's long history. Peterson was a member of the Louisiana State Senate from New Orleans. See also Political party strength in Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana politics List of governors of Louisiana Louisiana Democratic primary, 2008 Louisiana state elections, 2010 Harvey Fields, Democratic state chairman from 1926 to 1929 References External links Louisiana Democratic Party Democratic Party (United States) by state Democratic Party