Louisiana Primary Results

On Saturday Louisiana held its primary for Congressional elections, which was scheduled for a month ago but was delayed by Hurricane Gustav. Those races that don't have primary runoffs will go ahead to the General Election on Election Day. But those that do will have the primary runoffs on Election Day, followed by the General Election on December 6th. These are the races to watch:

LA-SEN: Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) and Treasurer John Kennedy (R) were each unopposed in yesterday's primary. This looked like a very strong pickup opportunity for the GOP earlier in the year, but Kennedy has been slowed by the fact that he switched parties for this race, and Landrieu has been adept at securing funding for hurrican relief. SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE FOR LANDRIEU.

LA-02: Rep. William Jefferson (D), the guy with the money in the freezer, managed to survive the Primary, actually leading the 7-candidate field with 25% of the vote. He will face former TV reporter Helena Moreno in the runoff, as she finished 2nd with 20% of the vote. Attorney Joseph Cao (R) will be the token Republican candidate in this safely Democratic, New Orelans-based district. OVERWHELMING ADVANTAGE FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

LA-04: Voters in this NW Lousiana district are having a hard time figuring out who they want to replace 20-year Rep. Jim McCrery (R), who is not seeking re-election. On the Democratic side, Caddo Parish District Attorney Paul Carmouche was heavily favored to win the Primary, but he just missed a runoff, winning 48% of the vote. He should easily defeat attorney Willie Banks, who finished 2nd with 23%, in the runoff. The Republican side was much closer, with businessman John Fleming edging out businessman Chris Gorman by 35%-34%; Bossier Parish Chamber of Commerce Parish President Jeff Thompson finished a close 3rd with 31%. Fleming and Gorman will meet in the runoff, where Fleming has a slight edge. SLIGHT ADVANTAGE FOR THE REPUBLICANS.

LA-06: Rep. Don Cazayoux (D) and State Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) were unopposed in their primaries in this Republican-leaning, Baton-Rouge area seat. Cazazyoux, elected in a Special Election earlier this year, is considered one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents this year, in no small part due to the candidacy of African-American State Rep. Michael Jackson, who is running as an Independent. SLIGHT ADVANTAGE FOR CASSIDY.