U.S. House, Louisiana - 6th District
East central -- Baton Rouge
Race Forecast: No Clear Favorite
2008:
Cazayoux this spring was one of three Democrats who won special elections in districts that Republicans had vacated. He’s the most politically vulnerable of the trio, in part because the Nov. 4 ballot will include two serious opponents. Republican state Sen. Bill Cassidy touts his background as a physician. State Rep. Michael Jackson, who competed with Cazayoux for the Democratic nomination this spring, will appear on the ballot as an independent, and is the only black candidate running in a district that is about one-third African-American. Democratic polling has Cazayoux ahead but below the 50 percent threshold.
Race Information
- Incumbent: Bill Cassidy, R
- First Elected: 2008 (1st term)
- Last Elected: (%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: No Clear Favorite
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
Centered around Baton Rouge, the socially conservative 6th takes in a slew of petrochemical plants along the Mississippi River as well as rural parishes along the Mississippi border. Baton Rouge’s economic and population growth has spilled over into neighboring parishes, which attract commuters with superior schools and lower crime rates.
Government is the primary employer in the state capital of Baton Rouge, providing more than 20 percent of city jobs. Higher education also drives the economy, as Louisiana State University and Southern University are here. Casinos and other ventures, such as the new Shaw Center for the Arts — home to a museum, theater and gallery — have helped Baton Rouge promote tourism. A proposed light-rail system connecting Baton Rouge to New Orleans might help as well, but implementation of those plans are considered a long-term goal.
Although the Port of Greater Baton Rouge in Port Allen is no longer the 6th’s economic engine, it still gives the area a boost and ranks among the top 10 U.S. ports by tonnage. The petrochemical industry rebounded in recent years, but agriculture fuels the 6th’s rural parishes, with sugar cane in the west and paper mills and potato farms in the northeast.
Baton Rouge has felt ripple effects since hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The city itself was largely unaffected, but it took in tens of thousands of displaced residents from New Orleans and other areas. The housing market surged as individuals and companies snapped up available units.
Socially conservative suburban and rural voters have shifted toward the GOP, but Baton Rouge’s minority and blue-collar residents still vote Democratic. Republican George W. Bush won 59 percent of the 6th’s 2004 presidential vote.
Major Industry
Government, higher education, petrochemicals
Cities
Baton Rouge, 227,818; Shenandoah (unincorporated), 17,070
Notable
The state Capitol, completed in 1932, is the tallest in the United States; Gov. Huey Long, who led the fight for a new state Capitol, was assassinated there in 1935 and is buried on the Capitol grounds.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 638,324
- Under 18: 27%
- Over 65: 10%
- Married: 51.3%
- Non-Hispanic White: 63%
- Black: 33%
- Hispanic: 2%
- Asian: 1%
- Foreign Born: 2.8%
- Language other than English: 6.6%
- Median Household Income: 37,931
- Owner Occupied Housing: 69%
- Income above $200k: 1.6
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 61.5%
- Blue Collar: 23.9%
- Services: 14.7%
- Bachelor's Degree: 24%
- Graduate Education: 8.5%
- Civilian Veterans: 52,371
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Bill Cassidy (R) | 150,226 | 48.1% |
| Don Cazayoux (D) | 125,716 | 40.3% | ||
| Michael Jackson (X) | 36,133 | 11.6% | ||
| 2006 | general | Richard Baker (R) | 94,658 | 82.8% |
| Richard Fontanesi (LIBERT) | 19,648 | 17.2% | ||
| 2004 | general | Richard Baker (R) | 189,106 | 72.2% |
| Rufus Craig (D) | 50,732 | 19.4% | ||
| Edward Galmon (D) | 22,031 | 8.4% | ||
| 2002 | general | Richard Baker (R) | 146,932 | 84% |
| Rick Moscatello (I) | 27,898 | 16% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 40% | George W. Bush: 59% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 43% | George W. Bush: 55% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAKER, RICHARD H (R) | September 30, 2008 | $488,575.00 | $521,098.00 | $166,000.00 | $4,452.00 | ||
| CRAIG, RUFUS HOLT JR (D) | March 31, 2006 | ||||||
| CASSIDY, WILLIAM (R) | November 24, 2008 | $1,239,188.00 | $1,170,308.00 | $44,500.00 | $963,856.00 | $68,879.00 | $56,713.00 |
| JACKSON, MICHAEL (UNKNOWN) | November 24, 2008 | $217,325.00 | $212,215.00 | $5,500.00 | $162,160.00 | $5,106.00 | $41,515.00 |
| CALONGNE, LAURINDA L (R) | September 30, 2008 | $483,033.00 | $482,662.00 | $1,000.00 | $182,984.00 | $368.00 | $296,500.00 |
| SAWYER, PAUL B (R) | September 30, 2008 | $309,158.00 | $306,385.00 | $8,000.00 | $219,283.00 | $7,071.00 | $25,000.00 |
| CASEY, ASHLEY HEYER (I) | April 13, 2008 | $39,044.00 | $36,744.00 | $11,974.00 | $2,300.00 | $490.00 | |
| CAZAYOUX, DONALD J (D) | November 24, 2008 | $2,738,011.00 | $2,760,003.00 | $260,600.00 | $1,230,685.00 | $7,382.00 | $43,400.00 |
| DECUIR, JASON MAURICE (D) | September 30, 2008 | $136,050.00 | $140,186.00 | $46,050.00 | $90,000.00 | ||
| KOPPLIN, ANDREW DAVID (D) | September 30, 2008 | $342,225.00 | $339,870.00 | $322,665.00 | $2,354.00 | $13,060.00 | |
| JENKINS, LOUIS (WOODY) (R) | September 30, 2008 | $760,014.00 | $762,644.00 | $49,000.00 | $616,984.00 | $49,622.00 | |
