United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana, 2008

The 2008 congressional elections in Louisiana to determine representation for the state of Louisiana in the United States House of Representatives occurred November 4, 2008. Louisiana has seven seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

The primary elections were to be held September 6, 2008, but were rescheduled for October 3, 2008 due to storm damage following Hurricane Gustav. The necessary party runoffs were held on November 4, the same date as the presidential election, and the general election for those races was held December 6th.

Republican incumbent Steve Scalise won against Democratic nominee Jim Harlan, a businessman. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Republican'.

The district includes nearly all of New Orleans and some of its suburbs, and is heavily Democratic: John Kerry won 75% of the vote here in 2004. CQ Politics forecasted the race as 'Safe Democrat'. The primary runoff in this district was held on November 4 in place of the general election, with the general election moving to December 6.

Incumbent William Jefferson has been indicted on 16 counts of corruption, complicating his reelection bid. His opponents in the primary were New Orleans city councilman James Carter, former New Orleans city councilman Troy Carter, Jefferson Parish councilman Byron Lee, former TV anchor Helena Moreno, State Representative Cedric Richmond, and former mayoral aide Kenya Smith. No candidate received 50% of the vote or more in the 4 October 2008 primary; so Jefferson and Moreno, the two candidates with the most votes, competed in a runoff on 4 November, which Jefferson won.

...
Wikipedia