file photo Rep. Simone Champagne R-46, Jeanerette

Her move across the political isle means the state House now has 51 Republican members, and 51 Democratic members. There are 3 members with no party affiliation.

John Sutherlin teaches political science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He says it's been a long time since the House had that type of balance, but "we don't have a real strong party system in the state regardless. There's not a lot of punishment or backlash if either of the parties votes with the others, depending on the district, depending on the issue."

Champagne says she changed to the Republican party because it better reflects her core values.