The departure of Republican Rep. Garret Graves has cleared the way for a new congressman for Louisiana’s 6th district. However, the favorite would not be a new face in Congress.
Graves decided not to run for re-election after the Louisiana Legislature dismantled the boundaries to create a second-majority black district among the state’s six congressional seats. The new boundaries of the 6th District extend from Baton Rouge to Acadiana, Alexandria and Shreveport.
Democratic Sen. Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge, who represented a similar district in Congress in the 1990s before its boundaries were drastically changed, is seeking a second shot at the U.S. House of Representatives and is the clear leader coming out.
“This isn’t my first rodeo,” Fields said in an interview with USA Today Network. ‘I’m participating because I want to finish what I started. I feel like I have unfinished business to help this district and my state.”
Fields is the only announced candidate so far with an official qualification for the November 5 elections from July 17 to 19. He is also the only candidate to file a campaign finance report with about $600,000 cash on hand.
“Graves would clearly have been a formidable opponent,” said Fields, who announced his candidacy almost immediately after Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed the new map into law in January. “I’m not sure who else will be a candidate. I’m focused on my campaign.”
Democratic Sen. Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette appears most likely to join Fields in the race, though he remains undecided.
“We’re still doing due diligence and polling and seeing where we stand on the fundraising front,” Boudreaux said. “We want to do what is best for the district and the state.”
Democrat Gary Chambers Jr., a well-known Baton Rouge activist and businessman who ran two credible but ultimately unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate, said he continues to evaluate the race but has other considerations, including his 14th anniversary . -old daughter who will go to high school next year.
No candidates have emerged from the central and northern parts of the district.
Former Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall had considered the race but told USA Today Network he is likely out.
“If you look at the numbers, there’s not much there right now,” he said.
And former Democratic Sen. Greg Tarver of Shreveport also said he won’t run.
That leaves Fields with a clear field so far.
“We’re traveling all over the county,” he said. “People are excited and engaged. We feel great about it.”
More: Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves will not run for re-election
Greg Hilburn covers Louisiana state politics for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here’s how Louisiana’s new Black Congressional District race stacks up
