New Orleans | Rep. Jefferson expected to face runoff

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Under fire amid allegations that he hid bribe money in his freezer, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson cast his vote early Tuesday morning, then started a long day of street corner campaigning and public appearances that will continue until after the polls close. "We'll wave at as many people as possible," Jefferson said after he and family members voted at an elementary school in New Orleans.

A total of eight amendments are on the state-wide ballot, including the amendment to combine New Orleans' seven tax assessors into one. But the race everybody is watching is in Jefferson's New Orleans-based 2nd Congressional District -- A dozen candidates, emboldened by a federal bribery investigation of Jefferson, hoped to at least force him into a runoff.

Jefferson is expected to move into a runoff with one of his challengers — but it was uncertain which challenger that would be. Considered strong contenders were state Rep. Karen Carter, former state Rep. Troy Carter, and state Sen. Derrick Shepherd, all New Orleans Democrats. A Republican, Joe Lavigne of New Orleans, also was making a very strong effort.

In the nearby the 3rd Congressional District, which covers most of South-central Louisiana, political analysts said Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon was likely to win a second term, but he faced a strong challenge from Republican state Sen. Craig Romero. The question was whether two other little known candidates might deny either leading candidate a majority and force a Dec. 9 runoff.

The election takes place in a city still very much devastated by Huricane Katrina, which struck Aug. 29, 2005, flooding more than eighty percent of the city. Even as residents cast their ballots, workers in protective suits were gutting houses in flood-damaged areas. Homeowners have been complaining for months about the slow process of getting aid and uncertainty about future flood protection.

Jefferson claims he is best qualified to help bring home more federal aid, stressing his experience and seniority in Congress, but his claims were blunted before the campaign even began when the House ousted him from the powerful Ways and Means Committee in June of this year.