Louisiana back to polling booths
Deb Harlow
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: News
Louisiana voters will be heading back to the polls on Dec. 6 to cast their votes in the state's 2nd and 4th District Congressional races. The District 4 seat is being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery, R-Shreveport.
The race is drawing national attention because it is the only congressional race yet to be decided. Due to Hurricane Gustav, the secretary of state Jay Dardenne postponed the party primary elections. Originally scheduled to take place in early September until October, Gustave placed the runoff on the Nov. 4 ballot.
In District 4, Democratic candidate Paul Carmouche will face Republican John Fleming in addition to Independent candidates Gerald J. Bowen Jr. and Chester T. Kelley. Democratic candidate William Jefferson will face Republican Anh "Joseph" Cao in the District 2 election.
District 4 encompasses 13 Louisiana parishes including the cities of Shreveport, Bossier City, Benton, Coushatta, Haughton, Minden and Leesville, among others. District 2 includes most of New Orleans and some surrounding areas.
Carmouche, Caddo Parish district attorney, won the primary election in District 4 with a win over Leesville attorney Willie Banks. Fleming, a Minden physician, beat Shreveport businessman Chris Gorman in order to advance to the general election. Bowen, a resident of Bossier City, is a certified athletic trainer. Kelley is a Shreveport resident and is best known as the owner of Crescent Landing Catfish Restaurant.
Although voters may be growing election weary, the importance of these races cannot be overemphasized. If you are unable to cast your vote on Dec. 6, early voting is taking place from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. through Nov. 25. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 for eligible voters.
The race is drawing national attention because it is the only congressional race yet to be decided. Due to Hurricane Gustav, the secretary of state Jay Dardenne postponed the party primary elections. Originally scheduled to take place in early September until October, Gustave placed the runoff on the Nov. 4 ballot.
In District 4, Democratic candidate Paul Carmouche will face Republican John Fleming in addition to Independent candidates Gerald J. Bowen Jr. and Chester T. Kelley. Democratic candidate William Jefferson will face Republican Anh "Joseph" Cao in the District 2 election.
District 4 encompasses 13 Louisiana parishes including the cities of Shreveport, Bossier City, Benton, Coushatta, Haughton, Minden and Leesville, among others. District 2 includes most of New Orleans and some surrounding areas.
Carmouche, Caddo Parish district attorney, won the primary election in District 4 with a win over Leesville attorney Willie Banks. Fleming, a Minden physician, beat Shreveport businessman Chris Gorman in order to advance to the general election. Bowen, a resident of Bossier City, is a certified athletic trainer. Kelley is a Shreveport resident and is best known as the owner of Crescent Landing Catfish Restaurant.
Although voters may be growing election weary, the importance of these races cannot be overemphasized. If you are unable to cast your vote on Dec. 6, early voting is taking place from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. through Nov. 25. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 for eligible voters.
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