Warren Triche (D)
Term limited in 2007
District Map

2002 Senate Race (Runoff)
Mary Landrieu (D) 5,752 (52%)
Suzy Terrell (R) 5,409 (48%)

2003 Governors Race (Runoff)
Kathleen Blanco (D) 6,361 (49%)
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 6,653 (51%)

2004 Presidential Race
George W. Bush (R) 10,365 (61%)
John Kerry (D) 6,424 (37%)
Others 293 (2%)

2004 Senate Race
David Vitter (R) 8,984 (56%)
Chris John (D) 4,231 (26%)
Others 2,937 (18%)

2006 Secretary of State Race
Jay Dardenne (R) 1,866 (27%)
Francis Heitmeier (D) 2,248 (33%)
Mike Francis (R) 1,073 (16%)
Mary Chehardy (R) 1,014 (15%)
Others 597 (9%)

2007 Governors Race
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 7,132 (59%)
Walter Boasso (D) 1,816 (15%)
John Georges (I) 2,041 (17%)
Foster Campbell (D) 797 (7%)
Others 222 (2%)

2007 Agriculture Commissioner Race
“Bob” Odom (D) 4,614 (41%)
Mike Strain (R) 4,049 (36%)
Wayne Carter (R) 2,022 (18%)
Don Johnson (R) 541 (5%)

District 55 is a “T-shaped” district that covers portions of Lafourche Parish north of Lockport and is centered on the town of Thibodaux (home of Nicholls State). Demographically, the district has a modest and stable (17%) African-American population, and the district has grown at a 7% rate, which is several times faster than the statewide average. One would suspect that there has been some suburban overflow from the New Orleans metropolitan area, as Highway 90 passes through the district on its way to New Orleans.

Politically, the district tends to split evenly in statewide races, while supporting Republicans in national races. President Bush was re-elected with 61-37% support here, and even David Vitter won 56-26% here. Surprisingly, this district was carried by both Mary Landrieu with 52% and Bobby Jindal with 51%. Though this pattern of support seems inconsistent, it is a pattern similar to preferences of the metro New Orleans. This is likely due to two things: (1) suburbanization spillover from Metro New Orleans, and (2) the presence/influence of the New Orleans media market.

Although in statewide and national elections, there is a “swing factor” present in this district, there has been remarkably steady Democratic legislative representation here. Billy Tauzin (when he was a Democrat) represented the area from 1972-1980 before his election to Congress. He was succeeded by Leon Borne until Borne’s 52-48% upset in the 1987 primary by Warren Triche. Since then, Triche has held the seat with little incident. The only opposition he received since his initial election was in 1999, and even then, he received 83% of the vote.

Representative Triche is term-limited in 2007. We rate this district as a tossup. Though this district has not elected a Republican to the House since Reconstruction, Republicans have been competitive here in statewide and some local races. Not only is David Vitter’s 56-26% margin against a fellow South Louisiana Democrat impressive, but the more Democratic south Lafourche house district has elected a Republican since 2000. This is definitely a race to watch in the battle for the state House. Four candidates are seeking the seat: Democrat Jay Caillouet, Democratic Parish Council Member Mike Matherne, Thibodaux Councilman “Dee” Richard (who is running as an Independent), and Republican “Al” Carter.