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