Spotlight on the LA 3rd Congressional District

The Louisiana 3rd Congressional District is situated in south central Louisiana and includes the towns of New Iberia, Houma and Chalmette. Popular Republican Billly Tauzin held this seat for many terms before retiring in 2005. Tauzin's son, also named Billy, lost by a few hundred votes to Democrat Charlie Melancon in a 2004 runoff election. Melancon was subsequently re-elected in 2006 and 2008, but is now running for the U.S. Senate and the seat will be left open. Melancon is currently the only Democrat representing LA in the U.S. House. Republicans hold the other six seats in the delegation. The primary, held on August 28 did not produce a GOP candidate with 50% of the vote and a runoff on October 2 is mandated. Small business owner, veteran, and attorney Jeff Landry received 49.6% of the GOP primary vote compared to Ex-State House Speaker, attorney, and veteran Hunt Downer's 36.1%. Pressure has been exerted on Downer to drop out and endorse Landry, but it appears the runoff will ensue as scheduled. Voters in this district selected Republican presidential candidates in the past three elections by sizable margins. Facing off against the Republican nominee in November is Democrat candidate and business attorney Ravi Sangisetty, whose youth and inexperience is accentuated by his atrocious voting record. By his own admission, Sangisetty never voted prior to 2009 – even skipping the 2008 presidential primary election while working for Hillary Clinton. Prospects look excellent for a GOP pick up.