Runoffs for Rep. Jefferson in 2nd district, both sides in 4th

Indicted Rep. William Jefferson (D) advanced to a runoff after surviving a seven-way primary Saturday.
Jefferson, who is seeking a 10th term, came in first place with 25 percent of the vote. His opponent in the Nov. 4 runoff will be former television news anchor Helena Moreno, who captured nearly 20 percent of the vote.

{mosads}The third-place finisher was state Rep. Cedric Richmond, who received 17 percent.

This means that Jefferson, the first African-American from Louisiana to serve in Congress after Reconstruction, will face the only non-African-American candidate in the primary. The majority of residents in the district, which includes most of New Orleans, are black.

Jefferson stressed his 18 years of service for the district in his victory speech.

“Give us your support, give us your prayers as you have, and we’ll keep delivering for our area,” he told supporters, according to The Associated Press.

Jefferson ran for reelection despite awaiting trial for federal corruption charges. He has been accused of accepting bribes in exchange for his efforts to promote a technology company for government contracts. He has pleaded not guilty.

In 2006, when he was already under investigation, he survived a multi-candidate primary and a runoff before prevailing easily in the general election.

The winner of this year’s runoff will again be the heavy favorite to win the seat since the district is heavily Democratic. The election schedule was pushed back a month due to Hurricane Gustav, so the runoff will be Nov. 4 and the general election is scheduled for Dec. 6.

In the race to replace retiring 10-term Rep. Jim McCrery (R), both the Democratic and Republican races will be heading to November runoffs.

Democrat Paul Carmouche, a district attorney, had been expected to avoid a runoff by winning a majority of votes. Carmouche had raised far more money than three opponents, but he captured just 48 percent of the vote. Retired Army Col. Willie Banks received 23 percent of the vote to make the runoff, while trial lawyer John Milkovich received 21 percent.

Carmouche has raised $666,000 and has been touted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as a strong contender to take a GOP-held seat. Banks raised just $75,000 for the campaign, according to federal campaign finance reports.

In the Republican primary, physician John Fleming and trucking executive Chris Gorman will face off in next month’s GOP primary. Fleming, a Navy veteran and owner of several Subway restaurants, received 35 percent of the vote. Gorman received 34 percent.

Fleming has spent about $600,000 of his own money, while Gorman has spent $800,000 of his own money. Attorney Jeff Thompson, who received McCrery’s endorsement but finished in third place with less than 31 percent, raised about $370,000.

Though the district leans Republican, Carmouche has led the GOP contenders in polls.