The 5th Congressional District run-off between Republicans Alexandria lawmaker Lance Harris and retiring Congressman Abraham’s former Chief of Staff Luke Letlow will be decided Saturday.
Letlow’s pitch centers on his record of getting things done alongside his well-liked former boss Abraham, who would’ve cruised to reelection if he had sought a fourth term.
“I started with him on day one, I was actually working in the private sector when he called and asked me to come home to Louisiana and help him win his race for Congress. So I served there up until March 9th of this year,” said the Ouachita Parish native.
Letlow has a 2:1 fundraising advantage over Harris.
But Harris argues his life experience as a small businessman and Legislative leader makes him the ideal voice for the largely rural district.
“With things going on like they are in America today we need fighters up in Washington, someone from the outside not someone who has been in the swamp bubble for their entire career,” said Harris.
The two are sparring over Harris’ Legislative record, specifically Harris’ vote to approve a sales tax increase as the state faced a massive budget deficit in Governor Edwards’ first year.
Letlow said it was a tax increase 5th District constituents couldn’t afford.
“The problem I had with what he did, quite frankly, is that he was the Republican Conference Chairman and he actually went without seeking support from his own Republican Delegation and cut a deal and raised taxes,” said Letlow.
Letlow noted the 5th District, which includes northeast and central Louisiana along with the north side of the Florida Parishes, is the 2nd poorest district in the country.
But Harris argues it’s a bad faith attack and the tax was necessary due to the fiscal mismanagement of the Jindal Administration, which Letlow worked in.
“Listen, that happens when you are panicked and you think that the seat should be coronated to you and you are deserving of the seat because politicians want you there,” said Harris.
Harris says it’s because of his work that the sales tax increase had an expiration date. When that expiration hit and the budget stabilized he voted against the renewal.
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