Mike Walsworth (R)
Term limited in 2019
District Map

2002 Senate Race (Runoff)
Mary Landrieu (D) 11,684 (38%)
Suzy Terrell (R) 18,855 (62%)

2003 Governors Race (Runoff)
Kathleen Blanco (D) 15,428 (48%)
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 16,919 (52%)

2004 Presidential Race
George W. Bush (R) 32,876 (69%)
John Kerry (D) 14,306 (30%)
Others 584 (1%)

2004 Senate Race
David Vitter (R) 27,654 (63%)
Chris John (D) 9,000 (20%)
Others 7,370 (17%)

2006 Secretary of State Race
Jay Dardenne (R) 3,738 (20%)
Francis Heitmeier (D) 4,473 (25%)
Mike Francis (R) 7,442 (41%)
Mary Chehardy (R) 1,269 (7%)
Others 1,274 (7%)

2007 Governors Race
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 19,131 (57%)
Walter Boasso (D) 4,841 (15%)
John Georges (I) 3,477 (11%)
Foster Campbell (D) 4,837 (15%)
Others 569 (2%)

2007 Agriculture Commissioner Race
“Bob” Odom (D) 12,419 (40%)
Mike Strain (R) 13,221 (42%)
Wayne Carter (R) 2,835 (9%)
Don Johnson (R) 2,637 (8%)

Senate District 33 is located along the northern fringe of the state and contains all of West Carroll, Morehouse, and Union Parishes. It also contains the northeastern corner of Claiborne Parish, and the northern suburban fringe of Ouachita Parish. As a whole, the district has a moderate (27%, up from 25% in 2003) African-American voter population, and has gained population slightly faster than the state has over the last few years, with an approximate 4% gain. This district, like several in the region, has an urban-rural split to it. About 70% of the district lives in one of the rural parishes, which together are 34% African-American. The remainder of the district is a nearly 90% white suburban fringe of Monroe in Ouachita Parish, which grew nearly 10% and is one of few parts of north Louisiana where there is a plurality of registered Republicans.

Unlike most North Louisiana Senate districts, District 33 has consistently voted Republicans in recent major races. Bush and Vitter both comfortably carried the district with 69-30 and 63-20% margins. Suzy Terrell received 62% of the vote, and, thanks to a 70% vote in Ouachita Parish, Jindal was victorious here with 52% of the vote in 2003 and 58% in 2007. Even when Rodney Alexander was victorious as a Democrat in his 2002 race, the district still gave Republicans 2 to 1 support in the Congressional race, with 75% support in Ouachita Parish.

The district has had steady representation, with only three people representing the area since 1980, David Ginn served from 1979-1987, and was replaced by Willie Crain. Senator Crain served until his legal troubles led him to resign in 1994. Robert Barham was then elected in 1994 and has served since then. Except for the 1994 race, this district had not been seriously contested for years. Even after Barham switched parties several years ago, he was unopposed in the 2003 race.

Senator Barham was term-limited in 2007. There was a competitive race here, as term-limited Democratic state representative Charles McDonald faced term-limited state representative Mike Walsworth. While McDonald had the advantage of representing more of the district than Rep. Walsworth, Rep. Walsworth waged an aggressive campaign and made sure to associate himself with Bobby Jindal. He also benefited from Rep. McDonald’s alleged ethical missteps and alleged payments to voters in West Carroll Parish. On Election Day, Rep. Walsworth was able to combine a solid 2 to 1 lead in the Monroe suburbs with 61% support in Union parish and enough votes elsewhere to win 52-48.%