Louisiana’s fifth district, Huey Long’s district, presently represented by Republican Rodney Alexander,
does not appear as competitive as LA-07, the first district about which I have written in this series on Louisiana’s Congressional seats. Indeed, Republicans garner 68% of the vote in this seat’s open primaries when confronted with underfunded an inexperienced Democratic challengers. Here are the results of the 2000, 2004 and 2006 open primaries:
2006
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 778 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
78,211 68% Rodney Alexander, R Elected
33,233 29% Gloria Williams Hearn, D Defeated
1,876 2% Brent Sanders, L Defeated
1,262 1% John Watts, O Defeated
2004
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 850 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
141,495 59% Rodney Alexander, R Elected
58,591 25% Zelma “Tisa” Blakes, D Defeated
37,971 16% John W. “Jock” Scott, R Defeated
2000
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 756 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
42,977 24% Roger Beall, D Defeated
123,975 69% John C. Cooksey, R Elected
5,335 3% Raymond A. “Chuck” Dumas, O Defeated
7,186 4% Sam Houston Melton, Jr., D Defeated
The poor performance of nominal Democrats in LA-05 is not very encouraging. But in 2002 and in 1996, years in which this seat was open, very competitive challenges were waged by Democrats. John Cooksey, a Republican who held this seat until he abandoned it in 2002 to run against Mary Landrieu in the open primary for Louisiana’s US Senate seat, won this seat in 1996. The open primary results of the 1996 race follow the pattern outlined above: Republicans received 67% of the vote, while Democrats garnered 33%.
1996 Open Primary
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 796 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
9,286 5% Michael Jordan Caire, D Defeated
60,853 34% John Cooksey, R Runoff
48,226 27% Clyde Holloway, R Defeated
7,106 4% “Ben” Marshall, R Defeated
5,268 3% Tim Robinson, R Defeated
50,144 28% Francis Thompson, D Runoff
Although Republicans won 67% of the vote, Democrat Francis Thompson, a Representative in the Louisiana House of Representatives, managed to edge one of the Republican challengers and qualify for the runoff, where he cut into the Republican voting base and earned 42% of the vote. Here are the results of the 1996 runoff:
1996 runoff
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 796 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
135,990 58% John Cooksey, R Elected
97,363 42% Francis Thompson, D Defeated
When voters are forced to choose between one Democrat and one Republican, the margin of difference between the parties’ respective vote totals decreases dramatically.
This was also the case in 2002, when the seat became open as a result of Cooksey’s abortive run for the US Senate. Here are the results of the 2002 open primary, which also follows the partisan voting pattern I discuss above:
2002
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 746 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
52,952 29% Rodney Alexander, D Runoff
34,533 19% Robert J. Barham, R Defeated
45,278 25% Lee Fletcher, R Runoff
42,573 23% Clyde C. Holloway, R Defeated
4,595 2% Sam Houston Melton, Jr., D Defeated
1,145 1% Vinson Mouser, O Defeated
3,581 2% Jack Wright, R Defeated
Because three Republicans split their voting base, a Democrat named Rodney Alexander was able to qualify for the runoff despite winning only 29% of the vote. Alexander won that runoff as a Democrat by 974 votes, staging a major upset in 2002, when Democrats performed poorly in federal races, especially in the South. Here are the results of the 2002 runoff:
2002 runoff
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 746 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
86,718 50% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
85,744 50% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
The upset Alexander staged in 2002 is very similar to that waged by Democrat Charlie Melancon for the open Congressional seat in LA-03 in 2004, when Melancon won his seat by 569 votes. Here are the results of LA-03’s 2004 open primary and runoff, which once again demonstrates how Democrats can compete in Louisiana if one Republican and one Democrat face off after a primary:
LA-03 2004 open primary
U. S. Representative, 3rd Congressional District
All 573 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
25,783 10% Damon J. Baldone, D Defeated
19,347 7% Charmaine Degruise Caccioppi, D Defeated
10,350 4% Kevin D. Chiasson, R Defeated
63,328 24% “Charlie” Melancon, D Runoff
61,132 23% Craig Romero, R Defeated
84,680 32% W.J. “Billy” Tauzin, III, R Runoff
LA-03 2004 runoff
U. S. Representative, 3rd Congressional District
All 573 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Parish
57,611 50% “Charlie” Melancon, D Elected
57,042 50% W.J. “Billy” Tauzin, III, R Defeated
But more reasons exist for Alexander’s victory in 2002 than just the ability of Democrats to perform well when facing Republican opponents in highly publicized runoffs. Alexander may have one his seat as a Democrat in 2002 as a result of perceived shifts in the Republican party. For John Cooksey was not your standard southern Republican: although Cooksey personally opposed abortion rights, he did not believe the US Constitution should be amended with an abortion ban. For to him, “federal bureaucrats” should have no role in shaping policy that affects the quotidian lives of Americans. This psuedo-libertarian stance on cultural issues starkly contrasted with the campaign rhetoric of the Republican party in 2002, possibly swaying voters away from Fletcher to Alexander in the 2002 runoff.
Another factor in Alexander’s 2002 Democratic victory was the US Senate race, the only other federal race on the ballot in the 2002 runoff. Many believe the Republican’s aggressive campaign against Landrieu backfired, propelling her to a surprise victory in a year when Democratic Senators lost their seats in the South. Although Landrieu did not perform as well as Alexander in LA-05, she did receive 48.5% of the vote. Here are the results of the 2002 Senate race runoff and the Congressional runoff in LA-05 by parish:
2002 US Senate Race and LA-05 House runoff results in LA-05
Allen Parish (half of which is in LA-05)
U. S. Senator
All 34 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
3,111 59% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
2,201 41% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 19 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,630 63% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
950 37% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Evangeline Parish (half of which is in LA-05)
U. S. Senator
All 61 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
4,740 51% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
4,563 49% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 26 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,396 44% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
1,811 56% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Iberville Parish (half of which is in LA-05)
U. S. Senator
All 44 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
7,390 68% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
3,431 32% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 20 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,970 69% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
1,363 31% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Pointe Coupee Parish (most of which is in LA-05)
U. S. Senator
All 24 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
4,977 62% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
2,998 38% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 15 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
3,044 76% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
967 24% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Avoyelles Parish
U. S. Senator
All 51 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
6,464 57% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
4,897 43% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 51 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
6,429 59% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
4,531 41% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Rapides Parish
U. S. Senator
All 106 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
15,346 46% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
17,983 54% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 106 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
17,045 52% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
16,011 48% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
LaSalle Parish
U. S. Senator
All 29 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,253 33% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
2,530 67% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 29 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,498 40% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
2,257 60% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Catahoula Parish
U. S. Senator
All 34 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,600 53% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
1,410 47% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 34 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,687 56% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
1,305 44% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Concordia Parish
U. S. Senator
All 23 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,853 53% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
2,491 47% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 23 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,701 51% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
2,560 49% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Winn Parish
U. S. Senator
All 29 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,038 48% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
2,247 52% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 29 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,477 58% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
1,784 42% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Caldwell Parish
U. S. Senator
All 20 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,237 43% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
1,635 57% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 20 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,354 47% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
1,511 53% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Franklin Parish
U. S. Senator
All 33 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,604 45% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
3,150 55% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 33 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,735 48% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
2,970 52% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Tensas Parish
U. S. Senator
All 27 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,270 60% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
847 40% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 27 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,246 60% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
844 40% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Madison Parish
U. S. Senator
All 25 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,759 57% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
1,333 43% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 25 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,738 57% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
1,295 43% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Richland Parish
U. S. Senator
All 23 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,680 44% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
3,368 56% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 23 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,847 47% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
3,163 53% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Ouachita Parish
U. S. Senator
All 79 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
17,330 41% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
24,450 59% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 79 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
17,422 42% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
23,982 58% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Jackson Parish
U. S. Senator
All 27 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,691 49% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
2,786 51% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 27 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
3,562 65% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
1,940 35% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Lincoln Parish
U. S. Senator
All 45 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
5,305 46% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
6,327 54% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 45 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
5,681 50% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
5,766 50% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Union Parish
U. S. Senator
All 46 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,714 39% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
4,181 61% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 46 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
2,778 41% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
4,023 59% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
Morehouse Parish
U. S. Senator
All 32 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
4,009 50% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
3,974 50% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 32 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
3,956 50% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
3,946 50% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
West Carroll Parish
U. S. Senator
All 18 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,135 36% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
2,028 64% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 18 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,171 37% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
1,983 63% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
East Carroll Parish
U. S. Senator
All 19 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,360 63% Mary Landrieu, D Elected
801 37% Suzanne Haik Terrell, R Defeated
U. S. Representative, 5th Congressional District
All 19 precincts reporting
Click here for Results by Precinct
1,351 63% Rodney Alexander, D Elected
782 37% Lee Fletcher, R Defeated
The results of the US Senate and US House races in the 2002 runoff almost mirror one another, which has lead some to believe Landrieu and Alexander mutually assisted one another. The only parish Landrieu won that Alexander did not was Evangeline Parish, and only Winn and Jackson Parishes were won by Alexander and not by Landrieu.
Because Landrieu is a New Orleans Democrat, she did not perform as well as Alexander, who has resided in Northern Louisiana for at least three decades. But notice the Democratic victory in 2002 was during a year when Landrieu was up for reelection. This was also the case in 1996, when Democrat Francis Thompson made it into a runoff with John Cooksey, sharing the runoff ticket with Landrieu as she faced off with Republican Woody Jenkins. LA-05, in other words, can be competitive for Democrats in a year when there is a US Senate race with a Democratic incumbent. It can also be competitive during a Presidential election year.
2008 is also promising, as races for federal offices will no longer have open primaries. Each party will hold its own primary, and the winners of each party’s primary will face off in a general election. Because 54% of Louisiana’s voters are registered Democrats, many voters who voted for a Republican in open primaries in the past will receive ballots for the Democratic party. This will most probably result in the election of a consensus candidate who can compete throughout the entire district. And because only two or three candidates representing different parties will share the ballot on election day, the results should be similar to the runoff results of 1996 and 2002, giving Democrats a viable chance to win Alexander’s seat.
Some believe it will be difficult to unseat Alexander now that he is a Republican. Alexander switched parties and refiled his election petition just hours before the filing deadline for the open primary in 2004. Although he claimed he switched parties as a result of the Democratic Party’s nomination of John Kerry for the Presidency, many understand his switch to be the result of White House entreaties. Alexander was also promised a seat on the Appropriations Committee by the House Republican leadership. This switch, however, has not helped him consolidate a broader voting base than that enjoyed by his predecessor Cooksey. Similar to Cooksey in 2000, Alexander garnered 68 in the open primary in 2006. He is now viewed as a Republican, and the Democrats who previously supported him in 2002 have abandoned him, making him vulnerable to a Democratic challenge.
Also complicating Alexander’s reelection bid in 2008 are the scandals in which his office became embroiled in October 2006. His assistant was one of the pages pursued by Mark Foley online, and Alexander’s office did not report Foley’s abuse to House leadership, for Alexander claims the page’s parents did not want him to pursue the matter. Alexander’s inability to manage the affairs of his office also surfaced when his former scheduler, Elizabeth Scott, sued his office for neglecting to take action against Royal Alexander, Rodney Alexander’s Chief of Staff, who engaged in lewd acts of sexual misconduct while sexually harrassing Scott. Although Gloria Hearn, who lacked a website until a few weeks before the open primary, discussed these problems with voters, Alexander’s ethical lapses were not central to her campaign.
Alexander’s gross negligence, Landrieu’s reelection for US Senate, changes in Louisiana’s primary system, the high number of African-Americans in the district (34%) and the high percentage of registered Democrats make Alexander a potentially vulnerable Republican incumbent. Thankfully, the Democratic bench in LA-05 is very deep, as there are many eligible state legislators and mayors from which we can choose.
LOUISIANA STATE HOUSE – Eligible Candidates
Richard “Rick” GALLOT, Jr. – District 11
Bienville, Clairborne and Lincoln Parishes
Attorney
elected 2000, final term begins 2007
2003 – unopposed
James R. “Jim” FANNIN – District 13
Bienville, Jackson, Ouchita and Winn Parishes
Independent Businessman
elected 2003, final term begins 2011
2003 – defeated another Dem 56/44 in open primary
Charles W. DeWITT – District 25
Rapides and Vernon Parishes
Farmer and Businessman
elected 1979, term limited (ending 2007)
2003 – unopposed
Israel B. CURTIS – District 26
Rapides Parish
Legislator
elected 1991, term limited (ending 2007)
2003 – deated another Dem 53/47 in runoff
Rick L. FARRAR – District 27
Rapides Parish
Attorney
elected 1991 and 1999, final term begins 2007
2003 – deated Other Party candidate 61/39 in open primary
Charles “Charlie Mac” McDONALD – District 14
East Carroll, Morehouse, Ouchita and West Carroll Parishes
Retired University Administrator
elected 1991, term limited (ending 2007)
2003 – unopposed
Willie HUNTER, Jr. – District 17
Ouachita Parish
Attorney
elected 1991, term limited (ending 2007)
2003 – unopposed
Francis C. THOMPSON – District 19
East Carroll, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland and West Carroll Parishes
Retired Educator
elected 1974, term limited (ending 2007)
2003 – unopposed
1996 US House Candidate – defeated 58/42 by Republican in runoff
Lelon KENNEY – District 20
Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin and Tensas Parishes
Farmer
elected 1995, term limited (ending 2007)
2003 – defeated another Dem 63/37 in runoff
Monica H. WALKER – District 28
Avoyelles Parish
Business Owner
elected 2003, final term begins 2011
2003 – unopposed
Karen Gaudet ST. GERMAIN – District 60
Ascension, Assumption, Iberville and West Baton Rouge Parishes
Legislator
elected 2003, final term begins 2011
2003 – defeated another Dem 52/48 in runoff
Many state representatives will retire in 2007, and I imagine many of them can be convinced to run for Alexander’s seat.
LOUISIANA SENATE – Eligible Candidates
Charles D. “CD” JONES – District 34
Ouachita, Richland, East Carroll, Madison, Tensas and Concordia Parishes
Elected to Senate in 1992, eligible to serve through 2008
Former State Representative, 1980-1992; Retired Army Captain, 1976-1979
2003 – unopposed
Noble E. ELLINGTON – District 32
Ouachita, Caldwell, Richland, Franklin, Catahoula, LaSalle, Rapides, Avoyelles and Concordia Parishes
Elected to Senate in 1998, eligible to serve through 2008
Former State Representative, 1988-1995
2003 – defeated another Dem 80/20 in open primary
Joe McPHERSON – District 29
Rapides Parish
Elected to Senate in 2000, eligible to serve through 2012
Former State Senator, 1984-1996; United States Army Reserves
2003 – defeated another Dem 79/21 in open primary
Kenneth M. “Mike” SMITH – District 31
Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant and Rapides Parishes
Elected to Senate in 1996, eligible to serve through 2008
2003 – unopposed
Donald E. HINES, MD – District 28
Allen, Evangeline, Avoyelles and St. Landry Parishes
Elected to Senate in 1993, eligible to serve through 2008
Current Senate President
2003 – unopposed
Robert “Rob” MARIONNEAUX, Jr. – District 17
Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes
Elected to Senate in 2000, eligible to serve through 2012
2003 – defeated two Republicans 62/29/9 in open primary
Many state senators’ terms end in 2008. Perhaps they too can be convinced to challenge Alexander.
MAYORS OF CITIES – Eligible Candidates
James E. “Jamie” MAYO – Mayor of Monroe
Ouachita Parish, population 52,163
elected October 2001, unopposed 2005
Clarence FIELDS – Mayor of Pineville
Rapides Parish, population 13,858
elected 2002, unopposed 2006
Clarence HAWKINS – Mayor of Bastrop
Morehouse Parish, population 12,763
elected 1989, reelected 2005 83/17 against another Dem in open primary
no website
Mark A. “Tony” GULOTTA – Mayor of Plaquemine
Iberville Parish, population 6,894
elected 1992, unopposed 2004
website under construction
Deano THORNTON – Mayor of Winnfield
Winn Parish, population 5,484
elected April 1994, reelected April 2006 51/49 over another Dem in open primary
Richard MICHAEL – Mayor of Marksville
Avoyelles Parish, population 5,695
elected 1978, reelected April 2006 unopposed
no website
Jack HAMMONS – Mayor of Winnsboro
Franklin Parish, population 5,149
elected 1998, reelected April 2006 53/45 over another Dem in open primary
no website
Isaac FIELDS, Jr. – Mayor of Lake Providence
East Carroll Parish, population 4,751
elected 2002, reelected October 2006 unopposed
no website
Officials who were just elected to his or her office are not considered eligible, as are those who will not complete the first term of their office by 2007. A populist Democrat with experience and knowlege of agriculture who has a pseudo-libertarian view of government, especially with respect to cultural and social issues, would be an ideal candidate. Winnfield, the county seat of Winn Parish, is Huey Long’s hometown, and I imagine a message of agricultural development and economic development in this very poor district will resonate with its voters.
Resources with which to contact activists in this district include Democratic Meetups for Monroe, Louisiana, which includes contact information for the DNC’s congressional district field coordinator, Jeanie Williams-West. One can also contact members of the Louisiana Democratic Party through their website.
I cannot emphasize the importance of fielding strong challengers to every Congressional seat held by a Republican in Louisiana. Not only will this help us expand our majority; it will also secure high turnout for Sen. Landrieu and for our Presidential candidate in a year when Democrats and Republicans will hold for the first time separate primaries, thus guarenteeing a race between one Democrat and one Republican on the general election. As I explain above, this increases our chances of winning Congressional seats in this state, especially if we hold competitive Democratic primaries for each Congressional seat presently held by a Republican.