4 Louisiana Congressmen Forced Into Runoffs

Four U.S. House members vying for two seats face November runoff elections after close showings in Louisiana’s unusual open primary. A fifth incumbent easily defeated his brother.

Sen. John B. Breaux, a Democrat, and three incumbent House members were reelected Saturday.

In the 5th District, near the state’s border with Arkansas, Rep. Jim McCrery, a Republican who has served two full terms, outpolled eight-term Democratic Rep. Jerry Huckaby, but McCrery failed to avoid a runoff Nov. 3.

Three-term GOP Reps. Richard H. Baker and Clyde C. Holloway were forced into a runoff after a tight 6th District race with Alexandria Mayor Ned Randolph, a Democrat.

Democratic Rep. Jimmy Hayes defeated his brother, Fredric, in the Cajun country 7th District.

With 99% of the precincts counted, Jimmy Hayes received 83,391 votes, or 73%, to his brother’s 23,855 votes, or 21%. A third candidate took 6%.

Louisiana law throws all contenders for an office onto the same ballot, regardless of party. It takes a majority of the vote to be elected; otherwise, the top two finishers meet in a runoff.

All of the state’s districts were scrambled by reapportionment, and Louisiana lost one of its eight seats in Congress. Voter turnout was about 38%.

McCrery took 44% of the vote to Huckaby’s 30%. With all precincts reporting, McCrery had 69,166 votes to Huckaby’s 46,508.

With 99% of the precincts reporting, Holloway had 51,532 votes, or 37%, to Baker’s 46,731 votes, or 33%. Randolph had 42,619 votes, or 30%.

In addition to Hayes, the incumbent House winners were GOP Rep. Bob Livingston and Reps. William J. Jefferson and W. J. (Billy) Tauzin, both Democrats.