Congresswoman-elect Julia Letlow (R) 5th Congressional District
Seven candidates have, so far, qualified to run for the vacant 5th Congressional District seat that was left open after the shocking COVID-related death last month of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, who won the seat last December.
The field is headlined by early favorite Julia Letlow, wife of Luke. Julia, who is an executive administrator at ULM, said she’s never worked in politics as Luke had, but she’s always had political aspirations.
“Public service has always been a dream of mine, it was a shared dream of ours. I happen to be fulfilling that in higher education in my current career, but we knew one day if the opportunity presented itself that I would take this leap of faith,” said Letlow.
Luke Letlow defeated Alexandria Representative Lance Harris on December 5th, but came down with COVID later that month and passed away less than a week before he was set to be sworn in. He served as former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff. Julia said she watched how Luke handled himself and learned a lot.
“Just that experience being with Luke for the last eight years he instilled in me what it means to be a public servant and how one person can make a difference,” said Letlow.
Social worker and small businesswoman Candy Christophe is the only Democrat in the race at this point. Christophe nearly made the runoff for the 5th last year with 16 percent of the vote coming less than a point behind last year’s second-place finisher State Lawmaker Lance Harris, who’s been non-committal about a second run. Christophe said she’s got the life experience to fight for what working families need.
“I know what it is like to be poor and without, I know what it is like to struggle with medication costs and health insurance. I know, I’ve been there, and it fuels me to fight the fight,” said Christophe.
Democratic candidates combined to win 30 percent of the total vote in the primary last year.
Allen Guillory is one of six Republicans in the race. He said he’s not afraid to speak the truth and says the Capitol Hill Riot shouldn’t have happened, but he felt there was something positive to come out of it.
“The only good thing that came out of it was those lawmakers had a chance to experience what the people experienced in Portland, in Minnesota. The experience of being frightened. There were things that were happening during the summertime, and people just looked the other direction,” said Guillory.
Guillory also expressed concern that Julia Letlow winning would deprive her two children of both of their parents. He said he spoke with her before qualifying.
“The only thing I wanted her to consider was those kids and right now going to Washington is going to be a hell of a job,” said Guillory.
But Letlow believes the experience will be beneficial.
“I absolutely do not see it as a problem for raising kids. I actually see it as a positive, I believe that there is no better example you can set for your children than to serve others,” said Letlow.
The primary will be held on March 20th.
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