Voters in the 5th and 2nd Congressional Districts head to the polls Saturday to pick their next representative.
Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat said the 5th District race should be a blowout with Republican Julia Letlow comfortably clearing the 50 percent margin needed to avoid a runoff.
“She is well educated, works at Northeast (ULM), political background from being a newly elected Congressman’s wife. She’s the sentimental favorite and I think most people would like to see her replace her husband,” said Pinsonat.
The 5th District special election was called after Julia Letlow’s husband, Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, died of COVID-19 less than a week before he was set to be sworn into office. Luke won the 5th District runoff in early December. The 5th runs from northeast Louisiana through Alexandria and over to the northern Florida Parishes.
In the 2nd Pinsonat says Democratic New Orleans State Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson are favorites to make it to a runoff.
“Both are heavyweights, both are state senators from the same area which is very odd you don’t see that very often. One of those two people will eventually become the next congressperson representing the 2nd District,” said Pinsonat.
Internal campaign polling shows Baton Rouge activist and Democrat Gary Chambers running in third with a strong enough showing to basically guarantee a runoff.
Pinsonat says turnout for both races is expected to be very, very low, and Saturday’s results in the 2nd could give us a good idea of just how competitive the April runoff will be.
“Who did well will be based on how well they spent their money on getting people to actually go vote instead of just saying I’m for you,” said Pinsonat.
The 2nd Congressional District special election was called after Cedric Richmond joined the Biden Administration. The 2nd covers most of New Orleans, parts of Jefferson Parish, the River Parishes, and north Baton Rouge.
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