William Jefferson Retains La. House Seat

(AP)  U.S. Congressman William Jefferson easily defeated his fellow Democratic opponent in a runoff vote despite an ongoing federal bribery investigation.

In complete but unofficial returns, Jefferson — Louisiana's first black congressman since Reconstruction — received 57 percent of the vote over state Rep. Karen Carter, who had 43 percent.

Carter was unable to capitalize on a scandal that included allegations the FBI found $90,000 in bribe money in Jefferson's freezer.

In a concession speech, Carter embraced family members and pledged to work with Jefferson, especially on the area's recovery from last year's Hurricane Katrina.

"I guess the people are happy with the status-quo," she said.

Jefferson described his win as "a great moment and I thank almighty God for making it possible." He called for regional unity to focus on the hurricane recovery and in bringing back evacuees who are still scattered across the country.

The runoff election does not affect the balance of power in the House, which Democrats won control of in the Nov. 7 elections, ending the Republicans' 12-year run. The Democrats also won control of the Senate, and they will begin the new session in both chambers in January.

Jefferson was forced into the runoff against Carter when he failed to win 50 percent of the vote in a crowded open multiparty primary. Carter had sought to become the first black woman from Louisiana elected to Congress.

Jefferson, 59, was accused of taking bribes from a company seeking lucrative contracts in the Nigerian telecommunications market. He has not been charged with any crime and denies any wrongdoing.

Before the bribery scandal erupted, Jefferson had climbed to the pinnacle of the Democratic Party. He was a confidant of former President Bill Clinton and held a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

[firststate]

antoniorego's comments prove the adage that some people can keep silent and have people think they're fools or open their mouths and remove all doubt. Rascist garbage is one of the things that proves people can be fools and proud of it.

[firststate]

I am one of the dems who doesn't support criminals from any party, end of story. Jefferson is so apparently guilty, according to the reports from the investigation (the reports they don't make during an investigation) and is not charged with a crime. If they don't have the evidence they should have kept quiet, if they have the evidence lock his sorry a$$ up.

Can it be like the Olympic Park bomber suspect in Atlanta who was so obviously guilty, but turned out to be innocent? How about the "person of interest" from the biological lab in the anthrax mailings, he's not been charged either? Jefferson looks guilty as sin but he's not guilty until a court says so.

If the A.G. the US Attys and the FBI in a solidly entrenched republican administration can't even manage to get an indictment, something's wrong. We have a crooked politician, incompetent investigators or prosecutorial misconduct, or all of the above.

[tejasdemo]

I'm a proud Democrat but re electing this crook to office is really bad and the voters in LA have only themselves to blame.

[frankly6]

"To the jefferson supporters..."


janem4

Again, who are these supporters you keep talking about?

[frankly6]

perception5

Your post lacks any real information. You make some very vague acusations about several Democrats but what exactly are you talking about?

[pghlady3]

it is true,this story is one of the very, very, very few stories run on this site about a crooked democrat. Try to stay on task folks, this is about one of your own. He is a crook and the members of your party voted him back in. That's it.
But you have to look at the entire picture.
Jefferson already took the money and is being watched over like a hawk. If Karen Carter...never mind, lets just say that Jefferson is very much the lesser of two evils.

[teddebare]

There is nothing any of us can do about the
re-election of Mr. Jefferson. The people have spoken.

To Janem and other of her ilk: The Clinton's are a poor example or comparison to this episode. The mad dog republicans spent millions of dollars chasing a moral indiscretion while the people's business was being ignored.

Let him without sin throw the first stone. Meanwhile let's get on with this country's business. Such as, Healthcare, Employment/Unemployment, Security, Iraq, Veteran's rights and on and on. Those and others of this nature is what we need to demand our political representatives be about resolving.

The courts in time will take care of Mr. Jefferson's guilt or not guilty in spite of what his constituents declared. He will be exonerated or expunged. Let's get this nation back on stream.

[perception5]

frankly6 -"Is your point so hard to support that you have to reach back 70 years and be intentionaly vague to make it?"

...... frankly6 not sure what you mean by 70 years ago......... all the these Democrats will be in the new congress.............. but probably shouldn't be......... but their protected by their "enablers" ..... our liberal MSM wolfpack.....

[frankly6]

perception5

Is your point so hard to support that you have to reach back 70 years and be intentionaly vague to make it?

What are you talking about?

Are you just ranting?

[frankly6]

perception5

What are you talking about?