Louisiana's 6th congressional district special election, 2008

The February 2,2008 resignation of Republican Richard Baker triggered a special election for Louisiana's 6th district. In anticipation of this election, party qualifying occurred before Baker's resignation.cite news
title=Hopefuls join race in 6th District
first=Marsha
last=Shuler
work=The Advocate
date=February 1 2008
url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/politics/15096401.html] The timeline mirrored that of the 2008 special election for the 1st congressional district. The two elections were the first Louisiana congressional elections not based on Louisiana's jungle primary system since the 1970s.

Democrat Don Cazayoux won the 6th district election, beating Republican Woody Jenkins by three percentage points, as well as two independent candidates and a member of the Constitution Party. [cite news
title=Cazayoux wins 6th District seat in Congress
first=Doug
last=Simpson
date=May 3, 2008
url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/18540299.html?showAll=y&c=y
work=The Advocate
accessdate=2008-05-25] He was sworn in on March 6, switching the party affiliation of the seat. (This was the second time such a party switch occurred due to a special election during the 110th Congress.)

Several Republicans who were considered likely candidates chose not to run. They included Baton Rouge Metro Council member David Bonenocite news
title=La. Politics by John Maginnis: Big field taking shape in 6th District
first=John
last=Maginnis
date=January 15, 2008
url=http://www.businessreport.com/news/2008/jan/25/la-politics-john-maginnis-big-field-taking-shape-6/
work=Business Report.com
accessdate=2008-05-25] ; Louisiana State Representative Hunter Greene; [cite news
title=Richard Baker to leave Congress by Feb. 6
first=Bill
last=Walsh
work=The Times-Picayune
date=January 15, 2008
url=http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/01/richard_baker_to_leave_congres.html
accessdate=2008-05-26] [ [http://www.2theadvocate.com/columnists/washingtonwatch/14471587.html The Advocate: Washington Watch for January 28, 2008] ] ; the son of former Louisiana governor Buddy Roemer, Chas Roemer; Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor and Mike Walker, another Baton Rouge Metro Council member.

Calendar

These were the events leading up to the general special election:
* January 29–31, 2008: Qualifying
* 2008-02-02: Baker resigned
* 2008-03-08: Party primary elections
* 2008-04-05: Party runoff elections
* 2008-05-03: General special election

Results

Don Cazayoux won the election. [http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms2&rqsdta=050308 Last accessed May 4, 2008]

Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (United States)
candidate = Don Cazayoux
votes = 49,702
percentage = 49.20%
change =Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (United States)
candidate =Woody Jenkins
votes = 46,741
percentage = 46.27%
change =Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = Ashley Casey
votes = 3,718
percentage = 3.68%
change =Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = Peter J. Aranyosi
votes = 448
percentage = 0.44%
change =Election box candidate with party link
party = Constitution Party (United States)
candidate = Randall T. Hayes
votes = 402
percentage = 0.40%
change =Election box total
votes = 101,011
percentage = 100%
change =Election box majority
votes = 2,961
percentage = 2.93%
change =Election box turnout
votes =
percentage =
change =Election box gain with party link
winner = Democratic Party (United States)
loser = Republican Party (United States)
swing =

Candidates

Democratic

* Don Cazayoux of New Roads [http://electionresults.sos.louisiana.gov/040508state.htm Louisiana Secretary of State Unofficial Election Results Inquiry Results for Election Date: 4/05/08] ] — Lawyer and Louisiana State Representative. Elected.

;Lost runoff:
* Michael L. Jackson — Lawyer and current Louisiana State Representative ( [http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=61 LA House website] )

;Lost primary:
* Jason DeCuir — Lawyer and unsuccessful State Senate candidate
* Joe Delattecite news
title=Richard Baker to resign
first=Gerard
last=Shields
date=January 16, 2008
url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/politics/13828767.html?index=18&c=y
work=The Advocate
accessdate=2008-01-17] — Construction Worker
* Andy Kopplin — Former Chief of Staff to Governors Foster and Blanco, Former LRA Executive Director

Republican

* Woody Jenkins of Baton Rouge [ [http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/13936252.html The Advocate: Washington Watch for January 21, 2008] ] — Former Louisiana State Representative, newspaper editor/owner. Lost in general special election.

;Lost runoff:
* Laurinda L. Calongne [http://www.businessreport.com/archives/daily-report/2008/jan/24/428/ BusinessReport.com: Sixth District race: Kopplin in, Taylor out, Roemer undecided] ] — Lobbyist, owner of Robert Rose Consulting, a government relations firm.

;Lost primary:
* Michael Cloonan [http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/01/one_more_in_6th_district_no_ch.html Two more candidates in 6th Congressional District; no change in 1st — New Orleans News - NOLA.com ] ] — Naval Veteran, supply chain professional
* Paul Sawyer — Former Baker aide

Constitution Party

* Randall T. Hayes — satirical candidate, critic of plurality voting, proponent of instant runoff voting. [http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms2&rqsdta=040508 Louisiana Secretary of State Multi-Parish Candidate Data Inquiry, includes only final General Election candidates] ] Lost in general special election.

Independent candidates

* Peter J. Aranyosi Lost in general special election.
* Ashley Casey — New media consultant, former press secretary to Gov. Buddy Roemer and Congresswoman Sue Kelly, graduate of Columbia University. Lost in general special election.

External links

* [http://www.doncazayoux.org/ Don Cazayoux campaign website]
* [http://www.woodyjenkinsforcongress.com/ Woody Jenkins campaign website]
* [http://www.latinwenches.com/ Randall Hayes campaign website]
* [http://www.ashleycasey.com Ashley Casey campaign Website]
* [http://www.decuirforcongress.com/ Jason DeCuir campaign Website]
* [http://www.regularjoeforcongress.org Joe Delatte campaign website]
* [http://www.andykopplin.com Andy Kopplin campaign website]
* [http://www.calongneforcongress.com Laurinda Calongne campaign website]
* [http://www.cloonan08.com Michael Cloonan campaign website]

ee also

* Louisiana's 1st congressional district special election, 2008
* List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives
* United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana, 2008
* Illinois's 14th congressional district special election, 2008
* Mississippi's 1st congressional district special election, 2008

References