Seven candidates for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat qualified on Wednesday, looking to fill the position currently held by Ralph Abraham who is not seeking reelection. Among them is Abraham’s former Chief of Staff Luke Letlow, who says his campaign will not only run on the record and accomplishments of Abraham.
“But I also want to run on my own record as well. I have a great career I’m proud of. It’s involved public service, worked in state government, worked in the federal government, worked in the private sector as well,” said Letlow.
Republican Ouachita Police Juror Scotty Robinson announced his bid for the position last November and says the traits he has picked up in local government and constituent accessibility are what set him apart from his opponents.
“They’ve never served locally and they just don’t understand and they just don’t get it and I do. I understand what we need in our communities and I want people to know they can call me anytime,” said Robinson.
Clinical social worker, addiction counselor, and small business owner Candy Christophe lives in Alexandria and is running as a Democrat and says she’s in the race because now is the time for her to be the change that she wants to see.
“I can’t sit on the sidelines and fuss and complain. It’s time that we all be intentional about the change that we want to see,” said Christophe.
Chief Operating Officer of Grambling State University Martin Lemelle of Ruston enters the race as a Democrat with a focus on education and helping local small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
“I want to work with our state leadership and our federal leadership on how we can really get strong investment in the small business community, powered through technology,” said Lemelle.
Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, a Republican, says he sees a bunch of career politicians in DC and touts his balance of holding elected office and being a business owner as the reason voters should cast a ballot for him.
“I know what it is like to struggle, I know what it is like to fail, but I also know what it is like to succeed and create businesses and create jobs,” said Harris.
Additionally, Allen Guillory of Opelousas and Matt Hasty of Pineville, both Republican, qualified on Wednesday. The primary election is scheduled for November 3rd.
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