The qualifying for the September Congressional primaries, the October state elections, and November national elections starts Wednesday, I want to use this thread as a central place to discuss who’s going to qualify and for what.

It would probably also help, if you’re going to discuss local races, to put down what part of the state you’re from.

US Senate

Cleo Fields will not run. Landrieu and Kennedy should have at worst weak primary opponents, at best unopposed in their primaries. Right now, Landrieu has the slight edge, but Kennedy can still win this.

Congressional

1st Congressional District: Steve Scalise should probably face no serious Republican opposition. However, there maybe a rematch with Gilda Reed in the general election, which Scalise should easily win.

2nd Congressional District: Bill Jefferson will probably likely lose to either Byron Lee or Cedric Richmond in October and one of those two will likely defeat weak Republican opposition.

3rd Congressional District: Charlie Melancon will face weak, if any, Republican opposition.

6th Congressional District: Bill Cassidy and Woody Jenkins will face off in the Republican primary. Jenkins will probably win it. Michael Jackson won’t run. Cazayoux will be reelected.

State Supreme Court

SC1: Jimmy Kuhn and Greg Guidry will face off against some Democrat from New Orleans, who will force a runoff. Kuhn will likely defeat Guidry in November.

Public Service Commission

PSC1: Jay Blossman will likely face weak opposition and likely will be reelected, in spite of his numerous ethical problems, for the simple reason LABI, LCA, and the Louisiana Energy Users Group failed to recruit a serious opponent. Blossman’s rumored opponent now will be Suzie Terrell, who will not be able to compete with the Blossman-Entergy-CLECO-AT&T;machine in money. Plus, Terrell has her own high negatives.

heard there might be a self fianaced guy to face scalise in the first. can;t remember the name.

Anything good going on in Livingston Parish or Denham Springs? I always watch their elections too.

Gilda told me she was done.

Heard tonight that if Woody Jenkins doesn’t qualify Livingston Parish will have a Republican candidate for the 6th Congressional Race. Either Clo Fontenot or Jeff Taylor?? That’s the buzz here in the 6th.

Thomas Tiner - 05 July 2008 08:57 PM

Heard tonight that if Woody Jenkins doesn’t qualify Livingston Parish will have a Republican candidate for the 6th Congressional Race. Either Clo Fontenot or Jeff Taylor?? That’s the buzz here in the 6th.

Has Livingston grown that much that it now considers it possible to have its own congressman? What does Livingston’s expect its population to be in the 2010 census? Close to 400,000?

I’m hearing that because Bill Jefferson has so little in campaign funds that he is seriously looking at qualifying as an “I” instead of a “D”.  He then bypasses the Sept/Oct elections to run in Nov.

7th Congressional District:  State Sen. Don Cravins (D-Opelousas) will be the primary Democrat candidate.  He will certainly be a more worthy challenger than Mike Stagg was in ‘06 and what Gil Pinac (D-Crowley) would have been.

Some had also rumored Mike McHale from Lake Charles, Chairman of the Calcasieu Democrat PEC, as being a challenger to Boustany.

Bob Odom - 05 July 2008 10:10 AM

The qualifying for the September Congressional primaries, the October state elections, and November national elections starts Wednesday, I want to use this thread as a central place to discuss who’s going to qualify and for what.

It would probably also help, if you’re going to discuss local races, to put down what part of the state you’re from.

US Senate

Cleo Fields will not run. Landrieu and Kennedy should have at worst weak primary opponents, at best unopposed in their primaries. Right now, Landrieu has the slight edge, but Kennedy can still win this.

Congressional

1st Congressional District: Steve Scalise should probably face no serious Republican opposition. However, there maybe a rematch with Gilda Reed in the general election, which Scalise should easily win.

2nd Congressional District: Bill Jefferson will probably likely lose to either Byron Lee or Cedric Richmond in October and one of those two will likely defeat weak Republican opposition.

3rd Congressional District: Charlie Melancon will face weak, if any, Republican opposition.

6th Congressional District: Bill Cassidy and Woody Jenkins will face off in the Republican primary. Jenkins will probably win it. Michael Jackson won’t run. Cazayoux will be reelected.

State Supreme Court

SC1: Jimmy Kuhn and Greg Guidry will face off against some Democrat from New Orleans, who will force a runoff. Kuhn will likely defeat Guidry in November.

Public Service Commission

PSC1: Jay Blossman will likely face weak opposition and likely will be reelected, in spite of his numerous ethical problems, for the simple reason LABI, LCA, and the Louisiana Energy Users Group failed to recruit a serious opponent. Blossman’s rumored opponent now will be Suzie Terrell, who will not be able to compete with the Blossman-Entergy-CLECO-AT&T;machine in money. Plus, Terrell has her own high negatives.

Judge Belsome should win easily. Very well liked, and he has strong ties to both black and white communities. A liberal, of course, but that is what you have in the City. A good man.

Regarding Scalise, I have not heard of any opposition. If you are going to beat him this is the election to do it in. Not a bad way to get your name out especially if you think that Steve is interested in the governor’s seat or a run against Vitter, neither of which would be surprising.

maurepas1 - 07 July 2008 03:11 PM

The Democrat from New Orleans is actually a sitting Court of Appeals Judge, Roland Belsome. Roland will make a fine Justice. Neither Lee ( former R) or Richmond win in Primary. Look for (no pun) a dark horse here. Yes, there is a rich guy to take on Scalise.... FRIDAY when the qualifying locks down won’t come any too soon.

Judge Belsome should win easily. Very well liked, and he has strong ties to both black and white communities. A liberal, of course, but that is what you have in the City. A good man.

Regarding Scalise, I have not heard of any opposition. If you are going to beat him this is the election to do it in. Not a bad way to get your name out especially if you think that Steve is interested in the governor’s seat or a run against Vitter, neither of which would be surprising.

Belsome doesn’t have a prayer, the demographics have changed in the 1st District. However, most of Belsome’s votes will go to Jimmy Kuhn in November.

As for Scalise, that rich guy is probably wasting his time and money. Scalise is going to win for the same reason Cazayoux will win, people want to give him a chance.

Bob Odom - 07 July 2008 06:10 PM

maurepas1 - 07 July 2008 03:11 PM

The Democrat from New Orleans is actually a sitting Court of Appeals Judge, Roland Belsome. Roland will make a fine Justice. Neither Lee ( former R) or Richmond win in Primary. Look for (no pun) a dark horse here. Yes, there is a rich guy to take on Scalise.... FRIDAY when the qualifying locks down won’t come any too soon.

Judge Belsome should win easily. Very well liked, and he has strong ties to both black and white communities. A liberal, of course, but that is what you have in the City. A good man.

Regarding Scalise, I have not heard of any opposition. If you are going to beat him this is the election to do it in. Not a bad way to get your name out especially if you think that Steve is interested in the governor’s seat or a run against Vitter, neither of which would be surprising.

Belsome doesn’t have a prayer, the demographics have changed in the 1st District. However, most of Belsome’s votes will go to Jimmy Kuhn in November.

As for Scalise, that rich guy is probably wasting his time and money. Scalise is going to win for the same reason Cazayoux will win, people want to give him a chance. Agree on Scalise. Belsome is another matter. I believe the fact that Guidry is a relatively new judge will play a part in making this a two horse race and Roland wins out

Thomas Tiner - 05 July 2008 08:57 PM

Heard tonight that if Woody Jenkins doesn’t qualify Livingston Parish will have a Republican candidate for the 6th Congressional Race. Either Clo Fontenot or Jeff Taylor?? That’s the buzz here in the 6th.

I’m sure there will be a couple of small names in the 6th, prob running as independents. I think the real race will be between Cazayoux and Cassidy though.

Bob Odom - 05 July 2008 10:10 AM

Congressional

2nd Congressional District: Bill Jefferson will probably likely lose to either Byron Lee or Cedric Richmond in October and one of those two will likely defeat weak Republican opposition.

I see a battle between Cedric Richmond and Cheryl Gray. They will prob spend a lot of money against each other, knock each other out, causing Dollar Bill Jefferson to win again.

MsBoJangles - 08 July 2008 09:00 AM

Bob Odom - 05 July 2008 10:10 AM

Congressional

2nd Congressional District: Bill Jefferson will probably likely lose to either Byron Lee or Cedric Richmond in October and one of those two will likely defeat weak Republican opposition.

I see a battle between Cedric Richmond and Cheryl Gray. They will prob spend a lot of money against each other, knock each other out, causing Dollar Bill Jefferson to win again.

BIG MF - 08 July 2008 10:07 AM

Richmond can’t carry WB

I’m working on this..... probably not Warner Brothers ... West Bank?