Louisiana
7 seats: 5R, 2D D 53
With six of seven incumbents uncontested by the other major party in 1998, all
of Louisiana's competition was focused on Republican Richard Baker's narrow
re-election in a district that had become more Democratic in the redistricting that took place in late 1995. Baker's close call should not be surprising given that
Louisiana bucked the overall trend toward Republicans in the South by holding
steady in its projected partisan performance in 1996. More surprising is the
fact that so many candidates win free rides. Republicans and Democrats seem to
have a non-aggression pact. Only districts 1 and 2 are safe districts for their
party, yet 51 of 67 House elections have been won by at least 40% in the
1982-1998 period. (NOTES: Several House districts were changed
significantly between 1994 and 1996, notably districts 4, 5 and 6 � Jim
McCrery formerly represented district 5. Republican Billy Tauzin changed parties
in 1995.)
| 1. David Vitter (R), May 1999 |
Landslide |
| |
'99: 51 ['98:R100 |
'96: R 100 |
'94: R 81 |
'92: R 73] |
|
R 62
|
| |
| 2. William Jefferson (D), 1990 |
Landslide |
| |
'98: 86 U |
'96: 100 |
'94: 75 |
'92: 73 |
 |
D 79 |
| |
| 3. Billy Tauzin (R), 1980 |
Comfortable* |
| |
'98: 100 |
'96: 100 |
'94: 76 |
'92: 82 |
|
D 54 |
| |
| 4. Jim McCrery (R), 1988 (in LA-5
before 1996) |
Win* |
| |
'98: 100 |
'96: 71 |
'94: 80 |
'92: 63 |
|
D 53 |
| |
| 5. John Cooksey (R), 1996 |
Comfortable* |
| |
'98: 100 |
'96: 58 |
['94: D 70 |
'92: D 74] |
|
R 52 |
| |
| 6. Richard Baker (R), 1986 |
Vulnerable |
| |
'98: 51 |
'96: 69 |
'94: 81 |
'92: 51 |
|
D 51 |
| |
| 7. Chris John (D), 1996 |
Win |
| |
'98: 100 |
'96: 53 |
['94: D 100 |
'92: D 73] |
|
D 53 |
Louisiana's results 1982 to 1998
Facts in Focus for Louisiana 1982 to 1998
|
