Wayne Waddell (R)
Term limited in 2011
District Map

2002 Senate Race (Runoff)
Mary Landrieu (D) 4,439 (36%)
Suzy Terrell (R) 8,007 (64%)

2003 Governors Race (Runoff)
Kathleen Blanco (D) 3,910 (31%)
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 8,619 (69%)

2004 Presidential Race
George W. Bush (R) 14,429 (72%)
John Kerry (D) 5,443 (27%)
Others 98 (1%)

2004 Senate Race
David Vitter (R) 13,047 (69%)
Chris John (D) 3,647 (19%)
Others 2,347 (12%)

2006 Secretary of State Race
Jay Dardenne (R) 2,536 (23%)
Francis Heitmeier (D) 2,312 (21%)
Mike Francis (R) 4,428 (41%)
Mary Chehardy (R) 622 (6%)
Others 980 (9%)

2007 Governors Race
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 7,898 (63%)
Walter Boasso (D) 1,581 (13%)
John Georges (I) 1,216 (10%)
Foster Campbell (D) 1,676 (13%)
Others 87 (1%)

2007 Agriculture Commissioner Race
“Bob” Odom (D) 3,344 (28%)
Mike Strain (R) 5,092 (43%)
Wayne Carter (R) 2,558 (22%)
Don Johnson (R) 769 (7%)

District 5 contains the southern suburban fringe of Shreveport. It includes most of the white neighborhoods between the Inner Loop and the Industrial Loop east of the airport. It then travels down I-49 to the DeSoto Parish line to pick up some outer suburban neighborhoods in southern Caddo Parish.

This district has the distinction of being one of a handful (and one of the first) state House districts to elect a Republican. For years, in fact, it was one of the most Republican House districts in the state, casting over 85% of its votes for Ronald Reagan in 1984. Since then, a steady influx of African-Americans, particularly in the western half of the district, has resulted in a constituency that is now 16% African-American (up from 12% in 2003). This has the effect of diluting its Republican margins somewhat to the point that now, about 20 state House districts gave a larger percentage of its vote to President George Bush in 2004.

Despite this mild Democratic trend, Republicans are still in comfortable control here, with typical support in the 70% range. Suzy Terrell’s 64% of the vote, in fact, was low for a Republican here. Additionally, this is a fast growing district, with 9% growth since 2003 (as compared to a statewide growth rate of 3%), making it one of about a dozen of the fastest growing in the state.

The district has had consistent Republican representation in the house. Republican activist B.F. O’Neal was elected in 1972 and served until 1988. He was succeeded by Republican activist Roy Brun. Though Representative Brun narrowly defeated a Democrat 54-46% in the runoff, he was unopposed in 1991 and 1995. He resigned in 1997 upon his election to a district judgeship, and was succeeded by Republican Wayne Waddell. Representative Waddell also won the runoff with 54% by defeating prominent Religious Right activist Judy Boykin. However, lest anyone mistake Representative Waddell for a liberal, his personal website states that “We don’t live in freedom; freedom lives in us.” Since his initial election, he has also been unopposed for re-election. In fact, the 1987 and 1997 races have been the only contested races here for years.

Originally, Representative Waddell was term-limited in 2007. Legislation that was passed last year allowed Representative Waddell and Senator Cleo Fields to serve another term, due to the timing of their elections and subsequent swearing in. Rep. Waddell was unopposed in the 2007 election, and we see this district as a “Republican hold” in 2011 assuming minor changes as a result of reapportionment. Though the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that the 1995 term-limits amendment prevented Sen. Fields from running again, Rep. Waddell’s candidacy was not challenged, so he may still serve another term. However, there is still a question as to whether his seating will be challenged when he is sworn in to a new term.