Indicted lawmaker leading in election

U.S. Rep. William J. Jefferson overcame the stigma of a federal bribery indictment in Louisiana’s Democratic primary on Saturday, garnering enough votes in his New Orleans-based congressional district to secure a spot in a Nov. 4 runoff.

Jefferson, seeking his 10th term in Congress, faces a December trial on charges that he took bribes, laundered money and misused his congressional office for business dealings in Africa.

With about 72% of the vote counted, Jefferson was leading a field of seven candidates with 25% of the vote and appeared headed toward a runoff, most likely with former broadcaster Helena Moreno.

Jefferson sounded confident as he addressed a few dozen family members and supporters at a restaurant in eastern New Orleans. “We look forward to a rigorous campaign but a successful outcome,” Jefferson said.

As he had throughout the campaign, Jefferson said he remains an effective member of Congress and he called questions on whether the indictment has damaged that effectiveness “pointless.”

“The work that I do is based on relationships with the members of Congress, and it’s based on having been there for 18 years. I have walked in the shoes of other members when they have needed things for their areas, and they have walked in my shoes as we need things here. That’s the way that Congress works,” he said.

A victory in the runoff would put him in a Dec. 6 general election in the heavily Democratic district against a little-known Republican.

Longtime New Orleans pollster Silas Lee said Jefferson, the first black elected to Congress from Louisiana since Reconstruction, remains popular among a strong core of supporters in the district. “He comes across as someone who the ordinary citizen can relate to,” Lee said.