Beton Rouge, La. – Republican Julia Letlow easily won Saturday’s special election for a US House seat in northeast Louisiana, in which her husband, Luke, could not fill her death due to complications related to COVID-19.
With the victory, Julia Letlow becomes the third woman to be elected to the US House from Louisiana, the first Republican woman elected to Congress from the state and the only woman among its current congressional delegation.
He chose 11 other contenders to occupy the 5th district seat.
“It is an incredible moment, and it is really hard to describe it in words. Julia Letlow said in a statement, what was born of the terrible tragedy of losing my husband Luke has become my mission in honor of carrying the torch and serving the good people.
In the South, the race to fill a second vacant congressional seat for Louisiana was held on April 24, but the seat was sure to remain in Democratic hands.
Two Democratic state senators from New Orleans – Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson – ranked among runners-up after leading the field among 15 candidates. New Orleans-based 2nd District seat open because Democrat Cedric Richmond Took a job As special advisor to President Joe Biden.
In Louisiana, all candidates compete against each other in the primary, regardless of party. If a candidate does not take 50% of the vote, then runoff is contested between the top two vote-getters.
Julia Letlow ran into her dark red district with the support of former President Donald Trump, supporting the state GOP and raising more money than all of its competitors. this was it First bid for elected office By the Higher Education Administrator who lives in the small town of Start in Richland Parish.
She ran similar to the issues her husband had discussed during her campaign. He spoke of supporting agriculture in a largely rural district, expanding broadband Internet access, and supporting conservative values.
John Bel Edwards offered to congratulate Julia Letlow, who he said should be a proud but bittersweet day.
“He has continued to emulate strength, determination and tenacity in the wake of a terrible tragedy. I know that these qualities he has gained over the last few months will make him an outstanding advocate for Louisiana in Washington, ”the Democratic governor said in a statement.
Luke Letlow died on December 29, only a few days before he was sworn in. His wife announced his candidacy in January, a move that sidelined other high-profile Republicans who expressed interest in the seat.
Julia Letlow raised more than $ 680,000 for the race, according to data filed with the Federal Election Commission. Her closest fundraising contestant and second place of the race, Democrat Sandra “Candy” Christoph, brought in $ 75,000. Christophe is a social worker from Alexandria who also failed against Luke Letlow.
The 5th district is part of all 24 parganas including the city of Alexandria and Munro.
In the second district, Carter gained the support of Richmond and finished the primary as the top vote getter in the majority minority district that stretches along the Mississippi River into Baton Rouge.
Peterson participated in the runoff, excluding Gary Chambers Jr., a Baton Rouge community activist and local publisher who raised little money and focused too much on social media outreach. If Peterson wins, she will be the first black woman elected to Congress from Louisiana.
The Republican Party-backed candidate was Claston Bernard, a Jamaican-born decathlet who competed in the Olympics, runs a home inspection business and lives in the Baton Rouge suburbs. He secured a fourth position.
The major Democratic contenders had some differences over policy, supporting progressive causes such as increasing the federal minimum wage, expanding access to federally funded health care, and “environment for poorer communities facing greater health risks from pollution.” To support “justice”.
They battled each other extensively, with Carter and Peterson leading the election and the most fundraising people. Carter accused Peterson of drafting an education law to benefit her husband’s career, describing a campaign by Peterson as abusive and misleading. He criticized the votes cast in the Legislature. Each has previously run for a congressional seat.
Leave a Reply