2021 Louisiana's 5th congressional district special election

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For broader coverage of this topic, see Louisiana's 5th congressional district.
Louisiana's 5th congressional district special election
← 2020 March 20, 2021 2022 →
Louisiana's 5th congressional district
Turnout21.4%[1]
 
Candidate Julia Letlow Sandra Christophe Chad Conerly
Party Republican Democratic Republican
Popular vote 67,203 28,255 5,497
Percentage 64.86% 27.27% 5.31%
Parish results
Letlow:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Christophe:      40–50%
U.S. Representative before election

Vacant

 Elected U.S. Representative

Julia Letlow
Republican

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The 2021 Louisiana's 5th congressional district special election was held on March 20, 2021. It was triggered by the death of Republican congressman-elect Luke Letlow on December 29, 2020, who died from a heart attack while being treated for COVID-19.[2]

When congressional seats in Louisiana become vacant, the Governor may call a special election at any time. The special election to fill Louisiana's 5th congressional district took place on March 20, 2021, as stated by Governor John Bel Edwards's office.[3] Luke Letlow's widow, Julia Letlow, won the election with more than 64 percent of the vote.

Background

Congressional district

Main article: Louisiana's 5th congressional district

Louisiana's 5th congressional district includes all or part of Avoyelles, Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Franklin, Jackson, La Salle Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Rapides, Richland, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Washington, West Carroll, West Feliciana, and Winn parishes. Traditionally conservative, the district has been considered a safe seat for Republicans since Rodney Alexander changed his party affiliation in 2004.[4][5] Although the Democratic Party had an enrollment advantage of 26,719 at the time of the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump won over 64 percent of the district's vote.[6]

2020 election and Letlow's death

Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana § District 5

In February 2020, Ralph Abraham, who had been serving as the district's U.S. Representative since 2015, announced that he would not run for re-election.[7] Abraham's former chief of staff, Luke Letlow, announced his candidacy in the congressional election shortly thereafter, with Abraham publicly endorsing him.[8] Letlow was an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, and he publicly praised his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

In the jungle primary on November 3, Letlow won the most votes, but he was unable to secure a majority, triggering a runoff election against runner-up Lance Harris.[10][11] Letlow defeated Harris in the runoff election on December 5, with 62 percent of the vote.[12] Shortly after his victory in the runoff, Letlow tested positive for COVID-19, and he was hospitalized the following day.[13][14] Letlow's condition worsened, and he was moved to the intensive care unit where he died days later on December 29, less than a week before he was scheduled to be sworn into office.[15][16]

Candidates

Democratic Party

Declared

  • Sandra "Candy" Christophe, social worker and candidate for this seat in 2020[17][18]

Withdrawn

  • Jessica Honsinger Hollister, actress[19]

Republican Party

Declared

Declined

No party affiliation

Declared

  • Jim Davis[20]
  • M. V. "Vinny" Mendoza, perennial candidate[20]

Endorsements

Julia Letlow (R)
Former U.S. Executive Branch Officials
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
Organizations
Candy Christophe (D)
Organizations

Jungle primary

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[33] Solid R March 19, 2021
Inside Elections[34] Solid R March 19, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball[35] Safe R March 18, 2021

Results

2021 Louisiana's 5th congressional district special election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Julia Letlow 67,203 64.86
Democratic Sandra Christophe 28,255 27.27
Republican Chad Conerly 5,497 5.31
Republican Robert Lansden 929 0.90
Republican Allen Guillory 464 0.45
Independent Jim Davis 402 0.39
Republican Sancha Smith 334 0.32
Republican M. V. Mendoza 236 0.23
Independent Jaycee Magnuson 131 0.13
Republican Richard H. Pannell 67 0.06
Republican Horace Melton III 62 0.06
Republican Errol Victor Sr. 36 0.03
Total votes 103,616 100.00
Republican hold

By parish

Parish Julia Letlow
Republican 		Sandra Christophe
Democratic 		Chad Conerly
Republican 		Various candidates
Other parties 		Margin Total votes
# % # % # % # % # %
Avoyelles 3,053 63.7 1,189 24.8 430 9.0 123 2.5 1,864 38.9 4,795
Caldwell 1,426 83.0 204 11.9 57 3.3 31 1.8 1,222 71.1 1,718
Catahoula 1,197 67.0 489 27.4 72 4.0 28 1.6 708 39.6 1,786
Concordia 1,797 68.5 715 27.3 78 3.0 33 1.3 1,082 41.3 2,623
East Carroll 483 48.9 469 47.5 21 2.1 15 1.5 14 1.4 988
East Feliciana 682 45.0 696 45.9 98 6.5 41 2.6 –14 0.9 1,517
Franklin 2,681 79.7 509 15.1 130 3.9 40 1.3 2,172 64.6 3,363
Grant 2,346 78.8 328 11.0 199 6.7 106 3.5 2,018 67.8 2,979
Jackson 1,900 70.2 678 25.1 79 2.9 48 1.8 1,222 45.1 2,705
La Salle 2,189 86.9 157 6.2 119 4.7 55 2.2 2,032 80.7 2,520
Lincoln 4,515 67.0 1,968 29.2 131 1.9 128 1.9 2,547 37.8 6,742
Madison 722 47.9 666 44.2 57 3.8 62 4.1 56 3.7 1,507
Morehouse 2,442 55.5 1,711 38.9 92 2.1 158 3.5 731 16.6 4,403
Ouachita 14,821 67.2 6,174 28.0 607 2.8 442 2.0 8,647 39.2 22,044
Rapides 10,373 62.3 5,086 30.5 739 4.4 463 2.8 5,287 31.8 16,661
Richland 3,310 77.6 826 19.4 84 2.0 48 1.0 2,484 58.2 4,268
St. Helena 220 43.9 140 27.9 134 26.7 7 1.5 60 16.0 501
St. Landry 3,316 54.1 2,169 35.4 267 4.4 381 6.1 1,147 18.7 6,133
Tangipahoa 2,147 48.4 1,019 23.0 1,102 24.9 166 3.7 1,045 23.5 4,434
Tensas 532 53.4 417 41.9 25 2.5 22 2.5 115 11.5 996
Washington 3,092 58.1 1,576 29.6 532 10.0 126 2.3 1,516 28.5 5,326
West Carroll 1,197 75.5 155 9.8 205 12.9 28 1.8 992 62.6 1,585
West Feliciana 998 58.3 533 31.1 132 7.7 49 2.9 465 27.2 1,712
Winn 1,764 76.4 381 16.5 107 4.6 58 2.5 1,383 59.9 2,310
Total 67,203 64.86% 28,255 27.27% 5,497 5.31% 2,658 2.56% 38,948 37.59% 103,616

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "U. S. Representative -- 5th Congressional District". Louisiana Secretary of State. March 20, 2021.
  2. ^ Jim Acosta, Jamie Gangel and Paul LeBlanc. "Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dies after battling Covid-19". CNN. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Hilburn, Greg. "Here's how the late Luke Letlow's congressional seat will be filled following his COVID death". The News-Star. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  4. ^ Pathe, Simone (March 21, 2021). "Replacing husband who died from Covid-19, Julia Letlow hopes to bring her own experience to Congress". CNN. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  5. ^ Cillizza, Chris (August 7, 2013). "Rodney Alexander retired from Congress yesterday. Here's why you should care". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  6. ^ "Statewide Report of Registered Voters" (PDF). Secretary of State of Louisiana. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  7. ^ Cioffi, Chris (February 26, 2020). "Louisiana Rep. Ralph Abraham won't seek reelection". Roll Call. FiscalNote. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  8. ^ Hillburn, Greg (March 9, 2020). "Luke Letlow joins congressional race; has backing of Congressman Ralph Abraham". The News-Star. Gannett. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  9. ^ Polman, Dick (January 2, 2021). "Polman: A young, healthy Republican spoke at a maskless rally, then died". The Ledger. Gannett. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  10. ^ "Louisiana Election Results: Fifth Congressional District". The New York Times. November 3, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  11. ^ Steven Maxwell and Brooke Buford (November 24, 2020). "State Rep. Lance Harris discusses Letlow debate, return to Phase 2". KALB-TV. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  12. ^ Deslatte, Melinda (December 6, 2020). "Luke Letlow wins all-GOP runoff for Louisiana US House seat". Associated Press. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  13. ^ Hillburn, Greg (December 18, 2020). "Republican Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow tests positive for COVID-19". Monroe News-Star. Gannett. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  14. ^ Hillburn, Greg (December 19, 2020). "Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow hospitalized as COVID symptoms persist". Monroe News-Star. Gannett. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Reimann, Nicholas (December 23, 2020). "Republican Congressman-Elect Luke Letlow, 41, Transferred To ICU With Covid". Forbes. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  16. ^ Helsel, Phil (December 29, 2020). "Rep.-elect Luke Letlow dies from Covid complications days before being sworn in". NBC News. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  17. ^ a b c d Hilburn, Greg (January 4, 2021). "Wife of late Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow considers running for vacant seat". The News-Star. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  18. ^ Thompkins, Jarmarlon; Segura, Matthew (January 5, 2021). "Candy Christophe announces run for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District". KNOE-TV. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Gibson, Kaitlyn (February 3, 2021). "What's on the ballot for Louisiana's March election?". KSLA . Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i "A look at Louisiana candidates signed up for March election". Associated Press. January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  21. ^ https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=199932398486245&id=107722267707259 [user-generated source]
  22. ^ a b c d e f Hilburn, Greg (January 14, 2021). "Julia Letlow, widow of U.S. Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, will run for Congress". The News-Star. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  23. ^ "State Sen. Stewart Cathey won't run for 5th Congressional District seat". www.msn.com. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  24. ^ "I'm grateful to have the support of my friend, @stewartcatheyjr!". Twitter.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  25. ^ My Decision Not To Run, retrieved March 21, 2021
  26. ^ a b c d "Republican Julia Letlow wins Louisiana congressional seat originally won by her late husband, CBS News projects". CBS News. March 20, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  27. ^ "Former President Trump endorses Julia Letlow for District 5 congressional race". March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  28. ^ "Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy endorses Julia Letlow in 5th Congressional District race". March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  29. ^ Crisp, Elizabeth (February 9, 2021). "Weeks After Luke Letlow's Death, His Wife Julia Letlow Is the Frontrunner to Replace Him in Congress". Newsweek. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  30. ^ "NFIB Endorses Julia Letlow For Congress In LA-05 Special Election". March 9, 2021.
  31. ^ Hilburn, Greg (January 30, 2021). "Louis Gurvich retains control of Louisiana GOP, which endorses Julia Letlow for Congress". The News-Star. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  32. ^ "Louisiana Democrats Endorse Candy Christophe for 5th Congressional District seat". Kalb. February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  33. ^ Dave Wasserman (March 19, 2021). "Race to Replace Wright in TX-06 Heats Up". Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  34. ^ "House Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report. March 19, 2021. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  35. ^ Coleman, J. Miles (March 18, 2021). "How Mid-Decade Redistrictings Saved the Democratic House Majority". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 20, 2021.

External links

Official campaign websites
Retrieved from "https://mdwiki.org/wiki/2021_Louisiana%27s_5th_congressional_district_special_election"