State Political Profile: Louisiana
U.S. House
With back-to-back hurricanes scattering southeastern Louisiana's population around the state and beyond, it's still early to say how the U.S. House races will shape up.
Constituents are scattered in the 3rd District represented by first-term Democratic Rep. Charlie Melancon of Napoleonville, who fought a tough battle to take the seat last time. He will face significant competition to hold onto the seat from Republican state Sen. Craig Romero of New Iberia, who was barely edged out in 2004.
Among the other races of interest, 7th District Rep. Charles Boustany of Lafayette, a freshman Republican, hasn't generated any stated opposition yet.
And it's unclear if any noteworthy opponents will challenge long-time 2nd District Rep. William Jefferson, a Democrat from New Orleans. Jefferson has easily held onto his seat in past elections but now is in the midst of a criminal investigation into bribery allegations. Many of his constituents also are displaced from the majority black district, and he could face a much different racial and political makeup in the voters who are left behind and who go to the polls.
Other State Races
The only statewide race for 2006 is a special election to fill the secretary of state's position after long-time incumbent Fox McKeithen died last year. His assistant, Al Ater, has been serving in the job since McKeithen's death, but Ater doesn't plan to run for the position.
Though many lawmakers are term-limited next year, the race so far hasn't attracted many confirmed candidates. Only a former chairman of the state's Republican Party, Mike Francis, has indicated he would run.
--Associated Press
