| |
Runoffs to Decide Louisiana Congressional Nominees
By Hastings Wyman
Southern Political Report
October 6, 2008 — Nine-term US Rep. William Jefferson (D) of Louisiana’s 2nd District (New Orleans), although under indictment on federal bribery charges, led the ticket in Saturday’s primary, but will face a November 4 runoff with Helena Moreno, 30, an attractive former TV anchor in the area for seven years. With all precincts reporting, Jefferson had 17,501 votes (25%) to Moreno’s 13,781 (20%). State Rep. Cedric Richmond, a leader in the Legislative Black Caucus, came in third, with 12,076 (17%).
The early betting is that Jefferson is the favorite in the runoff, in large part because Moreno, who was the only white candidate in the race, was popular with the district’s white voters, who comprise only 28% of the electorate. The losing candidates in the first primary were African-American, as is Jefferson and 63% of the electorate. In Louisiana’s December 6 General Election, postponed because of Hurricane Gustav, any Democrat is safe against only nominal Republican and third-party opposition. In any case, Jefferson goes on trial on December 2.
Other candidates in the first primary ranked as follows:
James Carter, a New Orleans city councilman, with 9,276 (13%);
Byron Lee, member of the Jefferson Parish Council, 8,978 (13%);
Troy Carter, a former state representative and former New Orleans city councilman, 5,790 (8%); and
Kenya Smith, a former aide to Mayor Ray Nagin (D), 1,747 (3%).
In Louisiana’s 4th District (Shreveport, etc.), runoffs will also determine the nominees for both major parties for the congressional seat being vacated by ten-term US Rep. Jim McCrery (R). In the Republican Primary, physician John Fleming led with 14,500 (35%) to businessman (trucking), civic and business leader Chris Gorman’s 14,070 (34%). A close third was Jeff Thompson, lawyer and former local chamber of commerce official who had the support of McCrery, with 12,693 (31%). On the Democratic side, Paul Carmouche, district attorney for Caddo Parish (Shreveport), was unexpectedly forced into a runoff with Willie Banks, an African-American attorney and retired Army colonel. Carmouche, who had the endorsement of the Democratic Party, had 36,930 votes (48%) to Banks’ 17,620 (23%). In third place was attorney and active church layman John Milkovich, with 16,135 (21%). Artis “Doc” Cash, an African American, was fourth with 6,065 (8%). (Cash, incidentally, has brought a lawsuit contending that postponing the primary because of the hurricane violates the Voting Rights Act; the suit is pending.) Despite drawing a lower vote than expected, Carmouche is favored in the runoff, mainly because his 48% is only two points off the needed majority. Nevertheless, there is a racial component that could affect the runoff. The district is 33% African American, but the Democratic electorate is approximately 50% black. Since the runoff will be held on the same day as the presidential election, there is likely to be a large black turn-out in support of Barack Obama, which could help Banks. For the General Election, a poll taken for Carmouche in September showed him with a 13- to 19-point lead over the Republican candidates. His less-than-expected primary vote may slow his momentum; however, assuming Carmouche wins the runoff, Banks’ largely African-American support is unlikely to vote Republican in the December 6 General Election. Bush got 59% here in 2004. |
|
|
