La. primaries start Saturday

Louisiana voters will head to the polls Saturday for their belated primary, in which they will likely decide the primary runoff candidates in Rep. William Jefferson’s (D) and retiring Rep. Jim McCrery’s (R) districts.

The indicted Jefferson faces half a dozen challengers in a race similar to the one he had in 2006. In that race, Jefferson topped the primary and later won the runoff.

{mosads}This time, his opponents are state Rep. Cedric Richmond, New Orleans City Councilman James Carter, former New Orleans City Councilman Troy Carter, Jefferson Parish Councilman Byron Lee, former TV anchor Helena Moreno and Kenya Smith, a former aide to New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (D).

Independent polls from August and September showed Jefferson and Moreno leading, but both with less than 20 percent of the vote and all but Smith in contention.

In McCrery’s district, three GOPers will battle for the right to face Caddo Parrish District Attorney Paul Carmouche (D). Physician John Fleming, businessman Chris Gorman and attorney Jeff Thompson all have a chance to make the runoff.

An internal Gorman poll recently showed him and Fleming in a virtual tie at 31 percent and 29 percent, respectively. Thompson trailed with 17 percent.

Because the primary was moved back a month due to Hurricane Gustav, the primary runoffs, which are only necessary if a candidate doesn’t receive 50 percent of the vote, would be held on Election Day, Nov. 4, with the final contests being held Dec. 6. In races where no runoffs are required, the final contests will be held on Election Day.

The winner of Jefferson’s primary or primary runoff is a shoo-in, but the general election race for McCrery’s seat is expected to be close.