The latest Bayou Buzz:
According to the Secretary of State’s office, the Governor plans to set the election dates, at their request, for the Democratic and Republican Primaries, as well as the general, as follows: the 1st District race (Oct. 4th primary; November 4th general), the 2nd District race (Oct. 4th primary; Nov. 4th runoff; Dec. 6th or Nov. 4th general), the 4th District race (Oct. 4th primary; Dec. 6th or Nov. 4th general), and the 5th District race (Oct. 4th primary; Nov. 4th general).
So, in most cases, Louisiana’s congressional races will be decided on November 4th, with two big exceptions: LA-02 and LA-04, where it’s looking very likely that runoffs will need to be held on November 4th. The Buzz offers its take on that timeline’s impact on the Democratic primary to topple crumb-bum Rep. Bill Jefferson.
As for the 4th District race, where Caddo Parish DA Paul Carmouche is offering Democrats a strong shot at picking up the open seat of retiring GOP Rep. Jim McCrery, this move could end up working in Carmouche’s favor. Democrats have had a pretty good record of success in recent Louisiana runoffs (e.g. Mary Landrieu in 2002, Kathleen Blanco in 2003, and Charlie Melancon in 2004), and if Dems are successful at the presidential and congressional levels in November, the GOP base could end up being rather deflated a month later. Furthermore, you could expect the DCCC to bring its full resources to bear here, while it’s a good bet that the Republican candidate will be tapped out after a hard-fought three-way primary and runoff.