Maritime Advocate Taylor Loses Election

The wave of Republicans taking over the House on Tuesday swept out Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., one of the most passionate supporters of the Coast Guard and U.S. merchant marine in Congress.

Taylor lost to challenger Steven Palazzo by a 101,318 - 91,838 vote margin. The Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald said Palazzo rode to victory on voter anger with the Washington establishment. His campaign theme was based on "firing" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and branding Taylor a Washington insider.

Taylor has served 11 terms in Congress. He is chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on seapower and expeditionary forces and chairman of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus. His district includes the Northrop-Grumman shipyard at Pascagoula.

In October, Taylor vowed to tighten the Jones Act, and last September he used his seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to urge the Maritime Administration to be more aggressive in promoting the U.S.-flag fleet.

"It's been a pleasure to serve you. I have nothing but good memories," Taylor told supporters. "I suddenly have a whole lot more time to go fishing."

-- Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com.