2021 Louisiana's 5th congressional district special election

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Louisiana's 5th congressional district special election
Flag of Louisiana.svg
←  2020 March 20, 2021 2022  →
Louisiana's 5th congressional district
Turnout21.4% [1]
  Julia Letlow 117th (cropped).jpg No image.svg No image.svg
Candidate Julia Letlow Sandra ChristopheChad Conerly
Party Republican Democratic Republican
Popular vote67,20328,2555,497
Percentage64.86%27.27%5.31%
2021 United States House of Representatives special election in Louisiana's 5th congressional district by parish.svg
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

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]

Contents

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

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

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

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [33] Solid RMarch 19, 2021
Inside Elections [34] Solid RMarch 19, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball [35] Safe RMarch 18, 2021

Results

2021 Louisiana's 5th congressional district special election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Julia Letlow 67,203 64.86
Democratic Sandra Christophe28,25527.27
Republican Chad Conerly5,4975.31
Republican Robert Lansden9290.90
Republican Allen Guillory4640.45
Independent Jim Davis4020.39
Republican Sancha Smith3340.32
Republican M. V. Mendoza2360.23
Independent Jaycee Magnuson1310.13
Republican Richard H. Pannell670.06
Republican Horace Melton III620.06
Republican Errol Victor Sr.360.03
Total votes103,616 100.00
Republican hold

By parish

Parish Julia Letlow
Republican 		Sandra Christophe
Democratic 		Chad Conerly
Republican 		Various candidates
Other parties		MarginTotal votes
#%#%#%#%#%
Avoyelles 3,05363.71,18924.84309.01232.51,86438.94,795
Caldwell 1,42683.020411.9573.3311.81,22271.11,718
Catahoula 1,19767.048927.4724.0281.670839.61,786
Concordia 1,79768.571527.3783.0331.31,08241.32,623
East Carroll 48348.946947.5212.1151.5141.4988
East Feliciana 68245.069645.9986.5412.6–140.91,517
Franklin 2,68179.750915.11303.9401.32,17264.63,363
Grant 2,34678.832811.01996.71063.52,01867.82,979
Jackson 1,90070.267825.1792.9481.81,22245.12,705
La Salle 2,18986.91576.21194.7552.22,03280.72,520
Lincoln 4,51567.01,96829.21311.91281.92,54737.86,742
Madison 72247.966644.2573.8624.1563.71,507
Morehouse 2,44255.51,71138.9922.11583.573116.64,403
Ouachita 14,82167.26,17428.06072.84422.08,64739.222,044
Rapides 10,37362.35,08630.57394.44632.85,28731.816,661
Richland 3,31077.682619.4842.0481.02,48458.24,268
St. Helena 22043.914027.913426.771.56016.0501
St. Landry 3,31654.12,16935.42674.43816.11,14718.76,133
Tangipahoa 2,14748.41,01923.01,10224.91663.71,04523.54,434
Tensas 53253.441741.9252.5222.511511.5996
Washington 3,09258.11,57629.653210.01262.31,51628.55,326
West Carroll 1,19775.51559.820512.9281.899262.61,585
West Feliciana 99858.353331.11327.7492.946527.21,712
Winn 1,76476.438116.51074.6582.51,38359.92,310
Total67,20364.86%28,25527.27%5,4975.31%2,6582.56%38,94837.59%103,616

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "U. S. Representative -- 5th Congressional District". Louisiana Secretary of State. March 20, 2021.
  2. ↑ Jim Acosta, Jamie Gangel and Paul LeBlanc (December 30, 2020). "Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dies after battling Covid-19". CNN. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  3. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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. 1 2 3 4 "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.

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