Louisiana's 5th Congressional District special election, 2013
The 5th Congressional District of Louisiana held a special election for the U.S. House in 2013. The primary election was held October 19, 2013, with a general election held November 16, 2013.[1][2]
Louisiana elections use the Louisiana majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
The special election was held to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Rep. Rodney Alexander (R).[3]
Gov. Bobby Jindal announced on August 7, 2013, that Alexander would take over as the next Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs at the end of September 2013.[3] Alexander's resignation was effective September 26, 2013.[3]
Jindal announced the date of the election on August 8, 2013.[4] He added that the governor has complete discretion on the timing of a special election as long as the date allows for overseas military ballots to be distributed.[4]
There was no requirement that a candidate live in the district. Candidates must only be state residents.[5]
Louisiana's 5th Congressional District is a safe Republican district.[6] The 5th Congressional District is the largest geographically in the state, encompassing 22 parishes in the northeast and central parts of the state.[7]
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Open Primary Election | Open General Election |
|---|---|---|
Candidates
General election
Open primary election
Neil Riser: State senator[9]
- Jay Morris: State representative[10]
- Clyde Holloway: Public Service Commissioner[11][12][13]
- Phillip "Blake" Weatherly[14]
- Vance McAllister[15]
Marcus Hunter: State representative[16][17]- Robert Johnson: State representative[18]
- Jamie Mayo: Mayor of Monroe[16][4][19]
- Weldon Russell[15]
Henry Herford, Jr.[14]- S.B.A. Zaitoon[15]
Eliot Barron[15]
Tom Gibbs[15]- Peter Williams[15]
Did not file
- Jonathan Johnson: Rodney Alexander’s state director[16]
- Jeff Guerriero: Attorney[20]
Declined to run
- Mike Walsworth: State senator[4][20]
- Adam Terry: Rodney Alexander's chief of staff[16][21]
- Ed Tarpley: Alexandria attorney[11][22]
- Willie Robertson: CEO of Duck Commander and Buck Commander[23][24][25][26][27][28][29]
- Bob Webber: Ouachita Parish School Board Superintendent[11][30]
- Jacques Roy: Mayor of Alexandria[31][32]
- Rick Gallot: State senator[16][33]
- Katrina Jackson: State representative[20]
- Charles Kincade: Attorney[16][19]
Election results
Runoff general election
| U.S. House, Louisiana District 5 Runoff General Special Election, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Vance McAllister |
59.6% | 54,450 | |
| Republican | Neil Riser | 40.4% | 36,840 | |
| Total Votes | 91,290 | |||
| Source: Louisiana Secretary of State, "11/16/2013 Special Election Results," | ||||
Primary election
| U.S. House, Louisiana District 5 Special Election Open Primary, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Neil Riser |
32% | 33,045 | |
| Republican | Vance McAllister |
17.8% | 18,386 | |
| Republican | Clyde Holloway | 10.9% | 11,250 | |
| Republican | Phillip "Blake" Weatherly | 0.5% | 517 | |
| Republican | Jay Morris | 6.9% | 7,083 | |
| Democratic | Marcus Hunter | 3% | 3,088 | |
| Democratic | Robert Johnson | 9.6% | 9,971 | |
| Democratic | Jamie Mayo | 14.8% | 15,317 | |
| Democratic | Weldon Russell | 2.5% | 2,554 | |
| Libertarian | Henry Herford, Jr. | 0.9% | 886 | |
| Libertarian | S.B.A. Zaitoon | 0.1% | 129 | |
| Green | Eliot Barron | 0.5% | 492 | |
| Independent | Tom Gibbs | 0.3% | 324 | |
| Independent | Peter Williams | 0.3% | 335 | |
| Total Votes | 103,377 | |||
| Source: Official results via Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
Race background
Both Democrats and Republicans praised Alexander in light of his announcement.[34]
“While we did not always share Rep. Alexander’s views, he was one of a very few Congressional Republicans willing to put aside partisan posturing in order to craft solutions for the American People,” the Louisiana Democratic Party said in a release.[34]
Sources say that state senator Neil Riser (R) had notice that Alexander was contemplating retirement, and had been making phone calls to potential supporters and other potential candidates for several months prior to the announcement.[35]
Polls
| All candidates | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Neil Riser (R) | Jamie Mayo (D) | Robert Johnson (D) | Jay Morris (R) | Marcus Hunter (D) | Jeff Guerriero (R) | Undecided | Margin of Error | Sample Size | ||||||||||
| JMC Enterprises August 16, 2013 | 29% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 5% | 5% | 29% | +/-3.6 | 755 | ||||||||||
| Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected] | |||||||||||||||||||
Campaign donors
State Representative Jay Morris reported that he loaned $295,000 of his own money to his campaign account between July 1, 2013, and September 29, 2013.[36]
In the pre-primary period, state Representative Jay Morris led fundraising, having raised $566,000, which included a $295,000 loan to his campaign, and had $188,000 in cash on hand.[37] State senator Neil Riser followed close behind, having raised $561,000 and ended with $210,000 in cash on hand.[37]
During the pre-primary period, which ended on September 29, 2013, Riser reported having raised $51,550 from PACs and other committees, such as ERIC PAC -the leadership PAC of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the American Healthcare Association PAC, Citizens United Political Victory Fund, and others.[38]
The Republican Super PAC Inc. also reported that it spent $32,691 from September 23 to October 7 for mailers, voter data collection and a survey, as independent expenditures supporting Riser.
Clyde Holloway, who served in Congress from 1987 to 1993, reported he raised $245,500, including a $112,000 loan to his campaign. He reported $145,000 in cash on hand going into the primary.[37]
Weldon Russell raised $49,000, with $43,000 of it as a loan to his campaign, and ended the period with $4,500 cash on hand.[37] State representative Robert Johnson raised $122,000 and reported having $63,000 in cash on hand.[37] Jamie Mayo raised $17,000 and reported $15,500 in cash on hand in the pre-primary period.[37]
Endorsements
U.S. Sen. David Vitter said he would not endorse a candidate in the special election for the 5th District congressional seat.[39] Vitter said on August 16, 2013, that he often does not get involved in races that have “two or more significant Republicans.”[39]
Republican candidates
Vance McAllister
Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Clyde Holloway endorsed Vance McAllister in the general election race on November 4, 2013.[40]
| Willie Robertson's November 2013 ad, "Duck Commander Willie Robertson reminds you to Vote Vance McAllister." |
Reality television celebrity Willie Robertson endorsed McAllister on November 13, 2013.[41]
In the ad Robinson said, “Hey this is Willie Robertson, reminding you to get out Saturday, Nov. 16 and vote for my good buddy Vance McAllister. Let’s send somebody from the 5th District who speaks for us to help turn Washington around."[41]
Democratic candidates
Jamie Mayo
Monroe lawyer Charles Kincade had originally expressed his intent to run as an “unabashed” liberal Democrat.[19] On August 16, 2013, Kincade said he opted out and instead endorsed Monroe mayor Jamie Mayo.[19]
Kincade said it was “logistically impossible” for someone from outside of politics to win in such a short timeframe. “Jindal and Alexander are trying to handpick the successor. It’s just a bad situation,” Kincade said.[19]
Campaign forums
Candidates who qualified to run for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District were invited to attend a luncheon meeting on August 26, 2013, in Alexandria, Louisiana. The meeting was sponsored by the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce.[42]
District history
| Candidate ballot access |
|---|
 |
| Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. |
2012
Alexander ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House to represent Louisiana's 5th District. Alexander, the incumbent, defeated Clay Steven Grant (L) and Ron Caesar (I) in the November 6 blanket primary.[43][44] Louisiana does not hold a primary before the November 6 general election. If candidates do not receive a majority of the vote on that date, they go to a runoff, to be held on December 8.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Rodney Alexander Incumbent |
77.8% | 202,536 | |
| None | Ron Ceasar | 14.4% | 37,486 | |
| Libertarian | Clay Steven Grant | 7.8% | 20,194 | |
| Total Votes | 260,216 | |||
| Source: Louisiana Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Rodney Alexander won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Tom Gibbs, Jr. (I) in the general election.[45]
| U.S. House, Louisiana District 5 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Rodney Alexander incumbent |
78.6% | 122,033 | |
| Independent | Tom Gibbs, Jr. | 21.4% | 33,279 | |
| Total Votes | 155,312 | |||
See also
- Special elections to the 113th United States Congress (2013-2014)
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2012
- United States congressional delegations from Louisiana
- United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana, 2014
- Rodney Alexander (R)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Upcoming elections," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ The News Star, "Special election set Oct. 19; qualifying this month," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Nola.com, "Rodney Alexander to join Jindal administration, departure from Congress will trigger special election," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Roll Call, "Candidates Line Up for New Special Election | The Field #LA05," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ The Advertiser, "14 candidates running for Congress," accessed August 22, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ Roll Call, "Louisiana Congressman to Endorse Candidate for Alexander’s Seat #LA05," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ The Advocate, "Monroe mayor to run for 5th Congressional District seat," accessed August 19, 2013
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "November 16, 2013, Election Results," accessed November 16, 2013
- ↑ Nola.com, "State Sen. Neil Riser to run for Rodney Alexander's seat," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ KNOE, "Another candidate plans to join 5th District race," accessed August 12, 2013
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 NOLA.com, "A closer look at those scrambling to enter Louisiana's 5th Congressional District race," accessed August 19, 2013
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Three more candidates jump into 5th District race," accessed August 21, 2013
- ↑ The Advocate, "Five run for 5th congressional seat," accessed August 21, 2013
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 NOLA.com, "Three more candidates jump into 5th District race," accessed August 21, 2013
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Louisiana Elections, "Search for Candidates-Louisiana's 5th Congressional District," accessed August 21, 2013
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 The News Star, "Potential candidates begin positioning," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ The News Star, "Special election set Oct. 19; qualifying this month," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ The Advocate, "Johnson to run for 5th congressional seat," accessed August 15, 2013
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 The Advocate, "Monroe mayor to run for 5th Congressional District seat," accessed August 19, 2013
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Nexstar, "Who is Running for Rodney Alexander's Seat?" accessed August 9, 2013
- ↑ The News Star, "Terry won't run; field remains crowded," accessed August 22, 2013
- ↑ The Advocate, "Sign-up begins for 5th District congressional race," accessed August 22, 2013
- ↑ Washington Examiner, "'Redneck millionaire' and 'Duck Dynasty' star eyed for La. House seat," accessed August 12, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "'Duck Dynasty' star for Congress?" accessed August 12, 2013
- ↑ Parade, "Duck Dynasty's Willie Robertson Wooed to Run for Congress: Report," accessed August 13, 2013
- ↑ NOLA Defender, "Duck Dynasty's Willie Robertson Hearing Call of Congress, Says D.C. Mag," accessed August 13, 2013
- ↑ Yahoo, "'Duck Dynasty' star called on by GOP to run for open Louisiana Congress seat: report," accessed August 13, 2013
- ↑ NY Daily News, "'Duck Dynasty' star Willie Robertson encouraged to run for Congress in Louisiana," accessed August 13, 2013
- ↑ NOLA.com, "State Rep. Robert Johnson in, 'Duck Dynasty' star Willie Robertson out in race for Louisiana 5th District seat," accessed August 19, 2013
- ↑ The Advocate, "Six run for 5th congressional seat," accessed August 21, 2013
- ↑ Roll Call, "Louisiana Congressman to Endorse Candidate for Alexander’s Seat #LA05," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ The Town Talk, "Alexandria mayor won't seek congressional seat," accessed August 20, 2013
- ↑ The Town Talk, "Gallot won't seek 5th Congressional District seat," accessed August 19, 2013
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Daily World,"Rep. Alexander to resign Sept. 26," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ Roll Call, "Louisiana Congressman to Endorse Candidate for Alexander’s Seat #LA05," accessed August 8, 2013
- ↑ Roll Call, "Jay Morris Puts $295K into Louisiana Special Election," accessed October 4, 2013
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 Roll Call, "Louisiana Republicans Report Special Election Fundraising," accessed October 10, 2013
- ↑ Roll Call, "Neil Riser Gets Backing from Cantor in Louisiana Special Election," accessed October 17, 2013
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 The Town Talk, "Sen. Vitter won't endorse in 5th District race," accessed August 19, 2013
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Holloway endorses McAllister ahead of 5th Congressional District runoff," accessed November 12, 2013
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Roll Call, "‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Cuts Ad for Louisiana House Hopeful," accessed November 14, 2013
- ↑ The Town Talk, "Forum for 5th District candidates set for Aug. 26 in Alexandria," accessed August 19, 2013
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate List," accessed October 22,2012
- ↑ Politico, "2012 House Race Results," accessed November 6, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
