La. Dem Incumbent in Tough House Runoff (Jefferson)

[NVMojo]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Voters trickled into the polls on a chilly Saturday morning for a runoff to determine the fate of U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, whose long tenure was threatened by a federal bribery investigation.

Jefferson's seat is one of the nation's last unresolved midterm races, and the eight-term congressman was in danger of becoming the only Democratic incumbent to lose.

There were more poll workers than voters when Jefferson, Louisiana's first black congressman since Reconstruction, arrived at his polling place with his wife and two daughters.

Jefferson said he had been worried that overnight temperatures close to freezing might diminish enthusiasm for voting in this normally warm climate. However, temperatures rose into the mid 40s as the sun rose.

He was forced into the runoff against a fellow Democrat when he failed to win 50 percent of the vote in a crowded open multiparty primary. His opponent, state Rep. Karen Carter, is seeking to become the first black woman from Louisiana elected to Congress.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2006/dec/09/120908627.html

[tblue]

1. I liked Jefferson, but I guess he's really gotta go. I don't know Carter, but I hope she's cool.

[Bicoastal]

2. I think the only people who will vote....

...are the ones who want Jefferson out. There are more of them--70% to Jefferson's 30% in November-- and I'm guessing they're more motivated.

I think Jefferson's done for...or am I wrong?

[Eugene]

3. Partial returns: Jefferson ahead 54-46 (43% reporting)

From http://www.wwltv.com as of ten minutes ago.

[Eugene]

4. WWL TV: Jefferson re-elected

Jefferson re-elected

09:56 PM CST on Saturday, December 9, 2006

WWLTV.com

Congressman William Jefferson has been re-elected to Congress, according
to WWL-TV election analyst Greg Rigamer.

With two-thirds of the vote counted, Jefferson had a 6,000-vote lead
over challenger Karen Carter.

"I'm a little worried about what this is going to say to the nation," said
City Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, a Carter supporter.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl120906tpelex.120cae38.html