Ringside Politics With A Punch

In the span of two days this week, two candidates for Orleans Parish Traffic Court announced their candidacy. Lawyers Mark Shea and Joe Landry, both Lakeview residents, jumped in to the race to succeed Judge Paul Bonin, who vacated the position after being elected to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal. Shea is a member of a very well known and popular political family.

On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Joseph Cao (R-New Orleans) was officially sworn in as a new member of the 111th Congress. Cao has been quite the national celebrity since his upset defeat of 18-year congressional incumbent Bill Jefferson. He has made history as the first Vietnamese American elected to Congress.

After first floating the idea that he wanted a fourth term, St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis changed course this week and announced he will not seek four more years in office. In the Home Rule Charter there is a three consecutive term limit for the office of Parish President.

In the 2nd Congressional District, Republican candidate Joseph Cao is picking up more support in his underdog campaign to unseat incumbent Democrat Bill Jefferson. According to Cao Campaign Finance Chairman Murray Nelson, Cao is being helped by the National Republican Congressional Committee. “The NRCC has jumped into the race. Money will start flowing into the campaign next week,” said Nelson.

Overall, the Democrats were the big winners on Election Day 2008, claiming the White House and an increased majority on Capitol Hill. In Louisiana, Democratic U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu won a solid victory, earning another six year term. Despite the major setbacks, the GOP can claim some success in Louisiana. In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent Steve Scalise won a convincing 67% of the vote despite being heavily outspent by his Democratic opponent Jim Harlan.