Southern Political Report
Louisiana 2 (New Orleans, etc.) Freshman Joseph Cao (R) stunned the political world in 2008 when he won a sparsely attended December runoff to succeed scandal-plagued William Jefferson (D) and became the nation’s first Vietnamese member of Congress. This year, Cao is facing a well-organized campaign by state Rep. Cedric Richmond (D), an experienced and well-regarded officeholder who – like 60 percent of the district – is African-American. Although Cao deserted his party to vote for healthcare and has been a good fundraiser, that’s not enough in this district Obama carried with 75 percent of the vote. Likely Democratic.
It helped tremendously two years ago when Jefferson's war chest was depleted by his primary and runoff, and no funds came from outside to fund street money in the general election.
It helped tremendously two years ago when Jefferson's war chest was depleted by his primary and runoff, and no funds came from outside to fund street money in the general election.