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This week, U.S. Congressman Bill Jefferson (D-New Orleans) announced he will run for his tenth term in office. According to Jefferson, “I will run on my record of effective service to the people of my district over the years and in particular over the last three years since Hurricane Katrina.” Jefferson views the 16-count federal indictment as the result of an “overly zealous” prosecutor who has relied on “false factual allegations.” Of course, prosecutors have a different view and believe that the congressman is a criminal who engaged in a variety of public corruption schemes.
Jefferson goes on trial on December 2, unless the judge grants the congressman another extension. In court, he will have to answer to these charges, but in his upcoming campaign, he will also have to answer questions about not only his troubles but other investigations involving his family members. In recent weeks, Jefferson’s sister and brother have also been indicted and charged with “looting” public charities for their own financial gain.
Jefferson will have company on the ballot this fall. Several Democratic candidates are lining up for the race, including former Jefferson Parish Council member Byron Lee and State Representative Cedric Richmond (D-New Orleans) and former WDSU-TV newscaster Helena Moreno. On the Republican side, Dr. Gary Clark of Dillard University and attorney Joe Lavigne are exploring a potential race.
In his last race, in 2006, Jefferson defeated State Representative Karen Carter (D-New Orleans) by a comfortable 57-43% margin in the run-off. It was the closest race in his congressional career, but one that occurred after news of a federal investigation had been made public. Carter, who is considering challenging Jefferson again this fall was hurt by a strong campaign waged against her by the late Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee. Jefferson was also strongly supported by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin; however, right now, it is unclear whether Nagin will take a position on Jefferson’s re-election.
Unlike the 2006 race, this campaign will feature party primaries. Jefferson will have to face Democratic opponents in a party primary before meeting a Republican primary winner and any independent candidates in the November general election.
This election will be difficult for Jefferson because he has been unable to raise significant campaign funds since his indictment and he has been removed from his powerful committee assignments on Capitol Hill. In addition, a recent power ranking by the non-partisan group Congress.org listed Jefferson at the very bottom among all of the 435 members of Congress. So, Jefferson’s opponents will have plenty of material to use in their campaign against him. In spite of his troubles, Jefferson remains defiant. “My family and I have sworn a great oath to trust God and to fight on to vindicate ourselves and our good name. This we will do,” said Jefferson. |
