News Brief Archives - Marshall Jones For Congress

KTAL NBC 6: Marshall talks about his plan to help the people

Campaign Team — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 23:07:04 +0000

In a recent interview with NBC 6 News, Marshall asks voters to “look at what I have already done as opposed to what Mike [Johnson] talks about he is going to do.” Marshall reminds voters that he has been a business man and business lawyer for over 40 years. And that he has devoted his entire career to Louisiana’s most important industries: oil and gas, healthcare, construction, and banking. Watch the full interview below.

via KTAL

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Headline Controversy: It’s Never the Wrong Time to do the Right Thing

Campaign Team — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 16:34:18 +0000

Marshall Jones believes that it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing.

To read the original article, see below.

—

Democrat Marshall Jones of Shreveport rejected his state party chair’s attack on Jones’ Republican opponent Mike Johnson, but it’s unclear whether Jones will reject the endorsement made on his behalf Thursday by the Louisiana Democrats in the 4th Congressional District race.

Party chair and state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson condemned Johnson, a state representative from Benton, saying he “has made a career of putting hate and bias at the top of his list.”

Jones said in a text exchange with USA Today Network of Louisiana he didn’t ask for his state party’s endorsement and hasn’t seen the press release announcing it.

“If the Louisiana Democrats say anything negative about my opponent, it is absolutely without my knowledge or concurrence,” Jones said. “Mike Johnson is a good man and I have nothing but positive things to say about Mike. Mike and I both plan to run positive campaigns.

“I absolutely disavow any such statement about my colleague Mike.”

Members of the party’s executive committee, led by Peterson, gave unanimous approval to Jones and to U.S. Senate candidate Foster Campbell of Elm Grove. They have asked the full Democratic State Central Committee to follow their lead and mailed ballots Thursday.

Jones led the eight-candidate primary field with 28 percent followed by Johnson at 25 percent.

“Marshall Jones has shown he is an independent and fair minded business man who has offered himself up for service,” Peterson said in a press release endorsing Jones. “Marshall’s values have been shaped by his faith and closely align with the great people of the 4th Congressional District. We are confident as voters get to know Marshall they will see a man committed to representing the entire congressional district and making sure their voices are represented in Congress.”

Here’s Peterson’s full statement about Johnson, with whom she serves in the state Legislature.

“On the other hand, Rep. Mike Johnson has made a career of putting hate and bias at the top of his list, earning a living from the taxpayers by catering to a small few special interests,” she said. “Since being elected he has little to show for the representation of his district. If he can’t deliver for you in Baton Rouge, why in the world would we expect different from him in Washington D.C.? Voters in the 4th Congressional District pay a lot in taxes and they deserve to have someone fighting to bring those taxes back home rather than go into a pay check for Mike Johnson.”

Peterson had strong words condemning Johnson, saying he “has made a career of putting hate and bias at the top of his list.”

In the Senate runoff, Campbell faces Republican state Treasurer John Kennedy.

“Commissioner Foster Campbell is a lifelong champion of the working people of this state,” she said. “He is a tireless advocate for education, teachers and especially for women.”

by Greg Hilburn

via the News Star

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Harrison Rocks Raonic At US Open

Campaign Team — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 03:07:10 +0000

American qualifier Ryan Harrison claimed the biggest win of his career Wednesday when he upset fifth seed Milos Raonic 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-5, 6-1 at the US Open. Harrison played inspired tennis and took advantage of an ailing Raonic, who struggled with his cramps from midway through the second set.

Harrison had a 1-26 record against Top 10 opponents before today, with his lone win coming over then World No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov in Acapulco in 2015.

Despite levelling the match at one-set all after converting his seventh set point, Harrison looked a long way from victory when Raonic broke him in the first game of the third set. But the Canadian was increasingly hampered by cramps in his his arms and legs and handed back the break in the eighth game, when he served three double faults. Soon after Raonic served two more double faults and missed an overhead to drop serve and hand Harrison the set.

Asked what led to the cramping, Raonic said, “A little bit of stress. I don’t think hydration was an issue. I think I always take that precaution. Probably just nerves and stress, a mental sort of overexuberance.

“It was the left arm; right forearm there towards the end of the third; both quads; a little bit hip flexor on the left. It was just catching me all over.”

In the fourth set, this year’s Wimbledon finalist began to labour even more with his court movement, with Harrison remaining strong in warm conditions to claim the victory.

Harrison said, “Once I realised it was just the cramping, and you see a guy who’s kind of labouring out there, it becomes tough initially, especially because when I first started to pick up on it, it was still him up a break in the third.

“… All I was thinking once I got to the third set was I really want to make this feel like a long way back for him. If he’s not already feeling physically good, I want it to be a long way back.

“I hope he recovers. I hope that his body’s all right and I hope he has a great rest of the year. He’s a good guy. I’ve always enjoyed playing him.”

It was a poor serving day for the Raonic, who threw in 15 double faults, and won just 67 per cent of the first serves he put into play. He also paid the price for converting just three of 19 break point chances. He also made nearly twice as many unforced errors (62 to 33) than Harrison as he delivered a high-risk groundstroke bombardment, crushing flat forehands and backhands with little margin for error.

But take no credit away from Harrison, who took the fight to Raonic with 23 forehand winners and 10 backhand winners, including a number of key backhand passes when Raonic was at net. He also handled the warm conditions better and looked fresh despite the first three sets lasting 3 hrs., 11 mins.

Harrison next meets former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis, a 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 winner over Frenchman Benoit Paire.

Harrison says he is happy where his game and mind are at. “It’s mental maturity, a little bit of stabilisation with everything around me that is allowing me to play with a sense of calm and also with excitement. My personality is a very fiery one. I like to be really intense when I’m competing. Flirt with that line of getting so intense that it’s taking me away from what I was trying to accomplish out there.

“I knew going in I was going to be in a position to be in the match. Toronto was a big one for me, because after qualifying there and having a good win the first couple rounds. I played Berdych, and after I got off the court I looked back and felt like I left a lot out there. I still only lost four in the third with a guy who is a top player and been in the finals of majors.”

Harrison is No. 120 in the Emirates ATP Rankings and, like younger brother Christian, had to win through qualifying to reach the main draw. This is his seventh consecutive appearance in the main draw and the first time that he has reached the third round in any Grand Slam tournament.

He had won just seven tour-level matches coming into the US Open but had shown form during the hard-court swing. As a qualifier at both events, he reached the round of 16 in Washington and at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Toronto, where he pushed Top 10 Czech Tomas Berdych to 6-4 in the third.

Formerly World No. 43 in July 2012, Harrison was last ranked in the Top 100 in January 2014.

by ATP Staff

via ATP World Tour

Image via Getty

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Fleming: St. Landry and Evangeline Parishes Eligible for Federal Help for Flood Damage

Campaign Team — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 16:05:28 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman John Fleming, M.D. released the following statement after a massive storm left eight people dead and 40,000 homes affected in Southern Louisiana. On August 14, 2016 the President issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana. The initial declaration has been amended to provide residents of several parishes, including St. Landry and Evangeline Parishes, with federal assistance to help with storm recovery.

“My prayers are with all Louisianians affected by this historic flooding, particularly those that have tragically lost loved ones over the last few days. While it is discouraging for our state to bear the brunt of another deluge, the important thing is to get out of harms way and quickly provide assistance and help for those who have experienced extensive flood damage.”

If you live in St. Landry or Evangeline Parish you can register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for federal assistance either online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via phone at 1-800-621-3362, TTY at 1-800-462-7585, or for any using 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) at 1-800-621-3362. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact my Leesville Office at 337-238-0778.

via Congressman John Fleming

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The Times Schedules 4th Congressional District Event

Campaign Team — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 08:21:44 +0000

Fourth Congressional District voters will get a chance to meet all of the candidates in a Sept. 15 meet-and-greet event sponsored by The Times and its media partner KTBS at Red River Brewing at 1200 Marshall St. in Shreveport.

The event is part of the “SBC Untapped: Networking with a Purpose at Red River Brewing” series.

“It’s a great chance to see how candidates interact and to make your own connection, and we’re excited to help pull this together for the community,” Times President Alan English said.

All eight candidates have confirmed their attendance.

They include: Dr. Trey Baucum, R-Shreveport; former Sen. Elbert Guillory, R-Baton Rouge; Mark David Halverson, no party affiliation, Shreveport; Republican Shreveport City Councilman Oliver Jenkins; Rick John, R-Shreveport; state Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City; Marshall Jones, D-Shreveport; and Ken Krefft, no party affiliation, Shreveport.

USA Today Network of Louisiana political reporter Greg Hilburn will emcee the event, which will include a brief introduction and exchange, but the goal is for those attending to be able to speak with the candidates themselves in an informal setting.

The event starts at 5 p.m. with introductions to begin between 5:30-6 p.m. It will end at 7 p.m.

SBC Untapped: Networking with a Purpose is a social gathering held on the third Thursday of every month. The goal is to shed some light on the many organizations our city has to offer and facilitate connection between SBC professionals for their business and social networking needs. It is free and open to the public.

The election to replace Congressman John Fleming, R-Minden, who is giving up the seat to run for the U.S. Senate, is Nov. 8

by Greg Hilburn

via The Shreveport Times

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Republicans Scramble for 4th District Runoff; Lone Democrat has Clear Lane

Campaign Team — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:56:54 +0000

SHREVEPORT — If Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District race was an Olympic event, there would be a frantic heat for Republicans while the lone Democrat would seem to have a lane to himself to make the final.

“I expect to face (Democrat) Marshall Jones in the runoff,” said state Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, who is among the Republican favorites.

Johnson, cardiologist Trey Baucum of Shreveport, former state Sen. Elbert Guillory of Opelousas, Shreveport City Councilman Oliver Jenkins and Shreveport attorney Rick John are the five Republicans who qualified for the Nov. 8 primary election.

That left Jones, a wealthy Shreveport attorney, in the enviable position as the only Democrat in the race to replace incumbent Congressman John Fleming, R-Minden, who is giving up the seat to run for the U.S. Senate.

“People smarter than me believe I’ll make the runoff,” Jones said. “I not only expect to be in the runoff, but I expect to win the race.”

But even though Jones is the favorite for a runoff spot, a Democrat hasn’t won the 4th District seat in 20 years.

“It will be difficult, if not impossible, for a Democrat to get elected, so I feel confident we’ll win in the runoff,” Johnson said.

Jones disagreed and pointed to Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards’ carrying the 4th as proof the right Democrat can break through.

Though Shreveport-Bossier is the population hub of the district, the sprawling 4th inches into northeastern Louisiana with Union Parish, hugs the western border deep into southern Louisiana, penetrates central Louisiana and into Opelousas in Acadiana, Guillory’s home turf.

“My gut feeling is it will be Marshall versus a Republican, which will be me,” Baucum said. “In the end the 4th District will send a Republican to Washington who best represents the district’s conservative values.”

“There’s no question that being the only Democrat is a big advantage,” John said.

But not every Republican is conceding a runoff spot to Jones.

“We believe it will be one of the Republicans from Shreveport against Elbert Guillory,” said Guillory, who was the only candidate outside of the Shreveport-Bossier City market to qualify for the race.

“I’d like to believe the voters are more interested in voting for the person rather than the party,” Jenkins said. “I don’t think the analysis that says there’s one Democrat in the race so he will make the runoff is an automatic, especially since Marshall’s positions aren’t very different from the Republicans. But it is important to have the resources to convey your message to the voters.”

Those resources, the candidates mostly agree, must include about $1 million in campaign cash. Jenkins led all candidates in the most recent second quarter campaign finance reports, followed closely by Baucum and then Johnson before a dropoff among the rest.

Two candidates from Shreveport with no party affiliation, Mark David Halverson and Kenneth Krefft, had not filed statements of candidacy or campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission by the second-quarter reporting deadline.

Though he didn’t report any fundraising in his second-quarter Federal Election Commission, Jones said he has loaned his campaign $200,000 and was the first and so far only candidate to air TV commercials.

“We go back up on TV (Tuesday),” Jones said. “I was at least six months behind everyone else, so it was incumbent on me to catch up and I think I have. We have a budget in place to run a formidable campaign on all platforms.”

If Jones does cruise into the runoff, that leaves the Republicans scrambling to elevate themselves from the pack.

“I’m the only true outsider — not a politician or attorney — and I believe that resonates,” Baucum said.

Johnson touts his “record versus rhetoric.” Guillory has a similar refrain: “I have an incredible amount of experience and preparedness,” he said.

Jenkins, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel, said his military credentials will catch on with those concerned about national security. “I’m the only candidate with that background,” he said.

And John portrayed himself as someone who “will fight” for the rank and file voters.

Voters will have a chance to see and hear the candidates at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Broadmoor Neighborhood Association 4th Congressional District forum at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church in Shreveport. Association President Rob Broussard said all eight candidates have been invited. The forum is open to the public.

by Greg Hilburn

via The Shreveport Times

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Baucum, Jenkins, John, Jones Qualify

Campaign Team — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 02:14:32 +0000

BATON ROUGE — Republicans Dr. Trey Baucum, Oliver Jenkins and Rick John, as well as Democrat Marshall Jones, all from Shreveport, were among six candidates to qualify for the 4th Congressional District seat here Wednesday.

Qualifying for the Nov. 8 election continues Wednesday and Thursday.

Incumbent Congressman John Fleming, R-Minden, is giving up his seat to run for the U.S. Senate.

Baucum, emphasizing his credentials as a doctor, said, “America needs a second opinion.”

“I’m a true outsider, and I think especially this year that is resonating with voters,” Baucum said.

Jenkins, an oil and gas businessman, retired U.S. Marine pilot and member of the Shreveport City Council, said his experience is suited to what he considers the top issues facing American — the economy and national defense.

Jenkins said he believes interest will grow in the election following qualifying, but he said “the issues facing our communities in Baton Rouge and other cities has appropriately been the focus of the news now. That’s where the attention needs to be,” he said.

John, an attorney, said it’s “time to refresh our government.”

“Our government has grown too large in size and scope,” said John, who said he would simplify the tax code, among other priorities. “People tell me they have a disdain for politics, and I’m frustrated too. I’m no politician but I have the resolve to serve the people.”

Jones, an attorney, was the only Democrat to qualify for the race Wednesday.

“We all have more in common than not in the 4th District regardless of party,” said Jones, describing himself as “pro-life, pro-gun and pro-military.”

“I’m staking my flag in the center ground,” he said. “What I sense is most people are sick of politics and partisanship.”

Kenneth J. Krefft of Shreveport, who is perhaps best known for his Declaration of Independence recitations while channeling Thomas Jefferson in colonial garb, also qualified with no party affiliation. Krefft said he left the Republican party after he was refused an invitation to the GOP Convention because he supported John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, for governor.

Mark David Halverson of Shreveport, who also has no party affiliation, also qualified on the first day.

by Greg Kilburn
via the News Star

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A Tale of Two Races

Campaign Team — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 02:16:38 +0000

Democrats are hoping to make a comeback

This fall will see some important races of local interest on the ballot in addition to the presidential race. The Bayou State will elect a new United States senator and the 4th Congressional District will elect a new member to the U.S. House of Representatives. And Democrats, on the heels of electing John Bel Edwards governor, are feeling optimistic of capturing one or both of the Congressional seats.

When Democrat Edwards got 56 percent of the vote against veteran Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter to win the state’s top job, Democratic leaders at the national and state levels took notice. Louisiana, once a true-blue state, had become bloodred over the past several years with Republicans occupying every statewide office, controlling both houses of the state Legislature, as well as gaining a majority on many local government entities.

But the election of a Democrat as governor has diluted the blood-red hue of the state. Democratic leaders believe the political pendulum is beginning to swing back in their favor. They cite the turmoil among Republicans and the national level and the realization that eight years of Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal and a Republican-controlled Legislature have left the state in a dire financial crisis. And while the Louisiana Republican Party’s spin machine tries to blame Edwards for the financial mess, voters are not buying it.

So when Vitter announced he would not seek a third six-year term in the U.S.

Senate, it was not surprising that some viable GOP candidates were quick to enter the race. Most analysts agree the four most viable are State Treasurer John Kennedy, U.S. Reps. Charles Boustany and John Fleming, and retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness. Two viable Democrats also threw their hats in the ring – Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell and attorney and former candidate for lieutenant governor Caroline Fayard.

Reminiscent of the governor’s race, the four Republicans have already begun sniping at each other with Maness criticizing Kennedy and Fleming criticizing Boustany. It’s likely the sniping will get more intense as campaigns move into high gear. The smart money is on a Republican and a Democrat making it to the runoff. Campbell, with the endorsement of Edwards, seems to have the inside track to be the Democrat who may wind up in a runoff with Republican Kennedy, the early leader in the polls. But, as is ever we know, nothing cast in stone when it comes to Louisiana politics.

Louisiana politics.

The average of three recent polls on the U.S. Senate race has these results: Kennedy 29 percent, Campbell 13 percent, Boustany 11 percent, Fayard 9 percent, Fleming 7 percent, and Maness 4 percent. While there will likely be 10 or more candidates on the ballot, these six seem to be regarded as the “major” candidates. We will know for sure who is running after qualifying, which is July 20-22.

An interesting race is developing for the 4th District U.S. House seat, which includes Northwest Louisiana. Here, too, Democrats believe they have a shot. While at this writing there are five viable Republicans seeking to replace Fleming, who is giving up the seat to run for the U.S. Senate, it appears that a viable, well-financed Democrat is ready to enter the fray. Shreveport attorney Marshall Jones is the Democrat who is expected to announce this month. He is being encouraged by Democratic leaders at the national, state and local levels to run.

The five Republican candidates are Dr. Trey Baucum of Shreveport, former state Sen. Elbert Guillory of Opelousas, Shreveport City Councilman Oliver Jenkins, Shreveport attorney Rick John, and Bossier state Rep. Mike Johnson. It appears that if Jones is the only Democrat in the race, he is a shoo-in to make the runoff against one of the Republican candidates.

The 4th District was once considered one of the most conservative districts in the state, but the last two reapportionments have changed the demographics and created a more moderate district. The district has been Republican hands since 1988 when Jim McCrery replaced Buddy Roemer, then Democrat, a who was elected governor. Democrat, McCrery held the seat for 20 years, and Fleming succeeded him in 2008.

The district almost went back into Democratic hands in the 2008 election. Fleming defeated Democrat Paul Carmouche, former Caddo District Attorney, by only 350 votes out of 92,572 cast. Carmouche would likely have won if the runoff had been held at the same time as the presidential election, when Barack Obama was on the ballot drawing a heavy turnout of black voters, who traditionally vote for a Democrat.

However, the congressional races in 2008 were held under the party primary system rather than an open primary format. The primary elections were to be held on Sept. 6, but were rescheduled for Oct. 3 because of Hurricane Gustav. Therefore, the party runoffs did not take place until Nov. 4, the date of the presidential election. The district’s general election was not held until Dec. 6 when only 23 percent of voters went to the polls. On Nov. 4, voter turnout in the 4th District was 57 percent. The state has since gone back to the open primary system.

Currently there are 469,487 registered voters in the 15-parish 4th District. Of that total, 62 percent are white, 34 percent are black, and four percent are other races. By party affiliation, 45 percent are Democrats, 30 percent are Republicans, and 25 percent are Other Party/No Party.

I will look more closely at these two races in future columns.

by Lou Gehrig Burnett
via Forum News

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Shake-Up on Tap in the 4th

Campaign Team — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 00:36:06 +0000

Will a viable, well-financed Democrat enter the U.S. House 4th District race where five Republicans are declared candidates? Democrats are hoping so.

Informed sources tell the Fax-Net that Shreveport attorney-businessman Marshall Jones is close to saying yes about entering the race. His entry would certainly change the dynamics in what so far has been an attraction for GOP candidates.

Democratic leaders believe the timing is right for a conservative Democrat to capture the 4th District seat, which has been in Republican hands since 1988. Buddy Roemer held the seat as a Democrat.

When he was elected governor, Republican Jim McCrery won the seat and held onto it for 20 years. In 2008, Republican John Fleming continued the GOP dominance in the 4th District. He is giving up the seat to run for the U.S. Senate.

Sources say that should Jones enter the race he will do so as a conservative Democrat who is pro-life, pro-gun, pro-military, and pro-business. His background is that of a business lawyer for 37 years as well as an oil and gas operator and a farmer.

A lifelong resident of Caddo Parish, Jones is a graduate of Byrd High School, got an accounting degree at SMU and a law degree at LSU.

Jones said that he is encouraged by the number of people who read about him in Fax-Net and are urging him to enter the race. He will have a decision soon.

Democratic leaders contend that Jones would be a shoo-in to make the runoff against one of the five GOP candidates. The demographics of the 4th District have changed over the past two reapportionment cycles. It was once considered a very conservative district and safe for a Republican candidate. No longer.

In 2008, Fleming defeated Democrat Paul Carmouche, former Caddo District Attorney, by only 350 votes out of 92,572 cast. And Carmouche would have likely won if the runoff had been held at the same time as the presidential election when Barack Obama was on the ballot drawing a heavy black turnout.

However, the congressional races in 2008 were held under the party primary system rather than an open primary format. The primary elections were to be held on September 6, but were rescheduled for October 3 because of Hurricane Gustav, therefore the party runoffs did not take place until November 4, the date of the presidential elections.

That resulted in the 4th District’s general election being held on December 6. The state has since gone back to the open primary system.

It appears Democrats are hoping that the political pendulum is ready to swing to the left giving them the opportunity make a comeback in the state, which once was true-blue but has become blood-red.

Republicans occupy every statewide office and control both houses of the Louisiana Legislature as well as many local governmental entities.

by Lou Burnett

via Bossier Press

The post Shake-Up on Tap in the 4th appeared first on Marshall Jones For Congress.

A Democrat in the Congressional Race

Campaign Team — Wed, 25 May 2016 02:09:38 +0000

The 4th District U.S. House seat is an open one because current Republican U.S. Rep. John Fleming, who has served four terms (eight years), is running for the U.S. Senate.It is a political plum that doesn’t come open very often. It has been in Republican hands since 1988. More on that later.
So, it’s not surprising that five Republicans have already announced they are running. They are, in alphabetical order, Dr. Trey Baucum of Shreveport, former state Sen. and candidate for Lt. Governor in 2015 Elbert Guillory of Opelousas, Shreveport City Councilman Oliver Jenkins, Shreveport attorney Rick John, and Bossier state Rep. Mike Johnson.
But is a viable Democratic candidate looming on the political horizon? Marshall Jones, a well-known Shreveport attorney, says he is being encouraged to run and is giving it serious consideration.
It would not be the first political rodeo for Jones. He ran for the 4th District seat at the age of 33 in a special election in March 1988 to replace Buddy Roemer who had been elected governor, but didn’t make the runoff.
Former Roemer aide Jim McCrery was the lone Republican in a field of 10 candidates. He finished first in the primary and wound up in a runoff with then Democratic state Sen. Foster Campbell.
McCrery won a nail-biter, defeating Campbell by 426 votes out of 126,654 cast. He would represent the district until he did not seek re-election in 2008 and retired.
There was a brief period in the early 1990s after the state lost a congressional district that McCrery represented the 5th District because the Legislature had made the 4th District a majority-black district. That plan was eventually thrown out and McCrery was put back in the 4th District.
Jones has always been involved in politics in one form or another. He was campaign chairman for four successful candidates who ran for office. They are:
*Mike Pitman for Caddo District Judge (2002).
*Frances Jones Pitman for Caddo District Judge (2008).
*Judge Frances Jones Pitman for 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal (2012.
*Judge James E. Stewart for Caddo Parish District Attorney (2015).
Democratic leaders believe that Jones, who is viewed as a conservative Democrat, would be a viable candidate with a good shot at winning the race at this particular time when the Republican Party seems to be in disarray at the state and national levels.
The 4th District was once considered the most conservative in the state and the country as well. But with the state losing two districts because of population non-growth, and after two reapportionments, it is no longer such.
It now has a significant number of black voters, who traditionally vote for a Democrat.. Currently, voter registration figures reveal that 62% are white, 34% black, and 4% other races. By party affiliation, 45% are Democrats, 30% Republicans, and 25% Other Party/No Party.
And Democratic leaders see the election of Democrat John Bel Edwards as governor as a sign that the political pendulum many be swinging back to a more moderate philosophy.
A Democrat like Jones, who has deep pockets, would certainly spice up the race. Some pundits believe it will take at least $1 million or more to win the seat.
The 4th District is comprised of all of Allen, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Evangeline, Grant, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Union, Vernon, and Webster parishes and part of St. Landry Parish.
About 50% of voters are in Bossier and Caddo parishes. Of the total number of registered voters in the 4th District – 469,068 – Bossier and Caddo is home to 234,616, which makes it difficult for anyone outside of the two parishes to mount a viable campaign.
An Aside: Guillory is black, but a Republican, and he will be trying to woo black voters as well. But, as noted, most blacks tend to vote for a Democrat.

by Lou Gehrig Burnett
via BayouBuzz.com

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