The fifth Congressional District race is headed to a run-off featuring two Republicans, former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff Luke Letlow and Alexandria State Representative Lance Harris.
ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley said it’s not surprising in the deeply conservative district that a Democrat failed to make the runoff.
“You had three Democrats, neither of the three were able to consolidate the Democratic vote which was worth about thirty percent so the result is all three Democrats fracture the vote,” said Stockley.
Stockley says GOP vs. GOP runoffs have been the case since former Congressman Rodney Alexander retired seven years ago.
Stockley said Letlow is the favorite due to his impressive half-million dollar fundraising effort but don’t count Harris out because anything could happen in a month.
“What do the Democrats in the district do? Do they find a supporter in Letlow or Harris? What will the other Republicans in the race do? What does Scotty Robinson do? Will he endorse anyone?”
The seat came open after Congressman Ralph Abraham announced his retirement.
Stockley said if 5th Congressional District voters go looking for ideological daylight between the two candidates they won’t find much.
“Harris has a more visible record being the former head of the Louisiana majority in the State House, Ralph Abraham was one of the most conservative members of Congress and Letlow was his Chief of Staff,” said Stockey.
The runoff is December 5th.
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