An election coming up in May will offer Louisiana voters a look at the new closed primary system.
Under this system, only registered Democrats will vote in Democratic primaries and only registered Republicans will vote in Republican primaries. Voters who are registered as ”No Party” may select either a Democratic or Republican primary to vote in, but once they choose a primary they will need to vote in the same party’s runoffs, if runoffs are needed.
In addition, the closed primaries are not for all elections in Louisiana. As of now, they will be used only for primaries for the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the state Supreme Court, the LA. Public Service Commission, and the LA Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The May 16 party primaries include the race for U.S. Senate. Republican Bill Cassidy is seeking re-election. He is being challenged by fellow Republicans Julia Letlow and John Fleming. Fleming is the state treasurer and Letlow represents the 5th Congressional District, which includes Washington Parish.
Another Republican candidate in the May 16 GOP primary is Mark Spencer of Belle Chasse.
Democrats seeking the U.S. Senate seat are Nicholas Abares of New Orleans; Gary Crockett of New Orleans; and Jamie Davis of Ferriday.
There is also a closed primary race to succeed Julia Letlow as 5th District Congressional Representative. Most of the candidates are from the central or western part of the sprawling 5th District, but there is one Washington Parish candidate, Austin Magee, a resident of Pittman Road. He is running in the Republican primary.
Other Republican candidates running for Congress in the 5th District include Misti Cordell of West Monroe; Michael Echols of Monroe; Rick Edmonds of Central; Michael Mebruer of St. Francisville; Blake Miguez of Baton Rouge; and Samuel Wyatt of Denham Springs.
Democratic candidates seeking the 5th District Congressional seat are Jesse Fleenor of Loranger; Larry Foy of Winnsboro; Lindsay Garcia of Walker; Dan McKay of Bunkie; and Tania Nyman of Baton Rouge.
In another May 16 closed primary race with a local connection, District Judge William H “Billy” Burris of Franklintion is running for the State Supreme Court. He is opposed in the Republican Primary by District Judge Blair Downing Edwards of Tangipahoa Parish.
There are no Democrats running, so the winner of the Republican Primary will become a state Supreme Court Justice.
In the race for Public Service Commissioner District 1, Connie Norris of Slidell is the only Democrat in her primary. In the Republican PSC primary are Wallace Cooper of Robert; Stephanie Hilferty of New Orleans; “Big John” Mason of Metairie; Mark Wright of Covington; and John Young of Metairie.
Early voting will take place from May 2 through May 9.
