The Louisiana legislature has voted for a new Congressional map for the state, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that caused confusion with Louisiana’s May 16 election.
The Supreme Court tossed out Louisiana’s Congressional map of 4 Republican districts and 2 Democratic districts. The court said the map was based on race, calling it unconstitutional.
The new map approved by both the state House of Representatives and the state Senate is based on politics, not race. Using political parties as the formula, the new map provides for 5 Republican districts and 1 Democratic district. As of presstime this week Gov. Jeff Landry was expected to approve the new map.
For Washington Parish, the map makes no changes. The parish will continue to be in the 5th Congressional District. That district is currently represented by Julia Letlow. However. Mrs. Letlow is running for the U.S. Senate, so a new 5th District representative will be elected.
The primary elections for U.S. Congress were originally set for May 16. When the Supreme Court ordered a new map, Gov. Jeff Landry postponed the Congressional primaries.
With a new map approved, the Congressional primaries are now scheduled for November 3, with the general election set for December 12.
Meanwhile, Rep. Letlow will face off against state Treasurer John Fleming in a June 27 runoff to determine who will be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. On the Democratic side, Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett will face off in the June 27 runoff for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination. The Democratic and Republican nominees will then move on to the fall general election.
