Jenkins V. Cazayoux In Special Election

Former GOP state Rep. Woody Jenkins will be facing Democratic state Rep. Don Cazayoux in a special election next month to fill the Baton Rouge-area seat formerly held by Rep. Richard Baker (R-La.).

Jenkins handily defeated business consultant Laurinda Calongne in Saturday’s Republican runoff, 62 to 38 percent. And Cazayoux, a highly touted Democratic recruit, defeated state Rep. Michael Jackson, 57 to 43 percent.

Despite the district’s Republican tilt, Democrats believe they have a solid opportunity to pick up Baker’s seat, which he held since 1986.

Nearly 10,000 more Democrats than Republicans voted in Saturday’s runoffs, suggesting a lack of enthusiasm for the Republican candidates.  And Cazayoux’s socially moderate pedigree has raised party hopes that he can attract enough moderate Republicans and independents to prevail in the May 3 special election.

In his campaign advertising, Cazayoux called himself a “John Breaux Democrat,” referring the former Democratic senator, a textbook Southern moderate who comfortably carried the district in past statewide elections.

Meanwhile, in the Republican runoff to fill the House seat of now-Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.), state Sen. Steve Scalise prevailed over state Rep. Tim Burns, 58 to 42 percent. Scalise is overwhelmingly favored to win in the special election against college professor Gilda Reed next month.

The anti-tax Club for Growth claimed “double wins” in the two Republican runoffs, as both of the group’s endorsed candidates won.

“We are confident both Scalise and Jenkins will win their general elections and will represent Louisiana taxpayers with the same courage and principle they have demonstrated in the Louisiana Legislature,” said Club for Growth President Pat Toomey in a statement.