Louisiana's 6th Congressional District
Louisiana's 6th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Cleo Fields (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Louisiana representatives represented an average of 776,911 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 758,994 residents.
Elections
2024
See also: Louisiana's 6th Congressional District election, 2024
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 6
Cleo Fields won election outright against Elbert Guillory, Quentin Anthony Anderson, Peter Williams, and Wilken Jones Jr. in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 6 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Cleo Fields (D) | 50.8 | 150,323 |
 | Elbert Guillory (R) | 37.7 | 111,737 | |
 | Quentin Anthony Anderson (D)  | 8.0 | 23,811 | |
 | Peter Williams (D) | 2.1 | 6,252 | |
| Wilken Jones Jr. (D) | 1.3 | 3,910 | ||
| Total votes: 296,033 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Garret Graves (R)
- Scott Sonnier (R)
2022
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 6
Incumbent Garret Graves won election outright against Rufus Craig and Brian Belzer in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 6 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Garret Graves (R) | 80.4 | 189,684 |
 | Rufus Craig (L) | 13.0 | 30,709 | |
 | Brian Belzer (R) | 6.6 | 15,535 | |
| Total votes: 235,928 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jaqueline Blaney (D)
- Scott Sonnier (R)
2020
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 6
Incumbent Garret Graves won election outright against Dartanyon Williams, Shannon Sloan, and Richard Torregano in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 6 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Garret Graves (R) | 71.0 | 265,706 |
 | Dartanyon Williams (D) | 25.5 | 95,541 | |
 | Shannon Sloan (L) | 2.6 | 9,732 | |
 | Richard Torregano (Independent) | 0.8 | 3,017 | |
| Total votes: 373,996 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 6
Incumbent Garret Graves won election outright against Justin DeWitt, Andie Saizan, and Devin Lance Graham in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 6 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Garret Graves (R) | 69.5 | 186,553 |
 | Justin DeWitt (D) | 20.5 | 55,089 | |
 | Andie Saizan (D) | 8.1 | 21,627 | |
 | Devin Lance Graham (Independent) | 2.0 | 5,256 | |
| Total votes: 268,525 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Garret Graves (R) won re-election, defeating Robert Lamar Bell (R), Richard Lieberman (D), Jermaine Sampson (D), Richard Fontanesi (L), and Devin Lance Graham (Other) in the primary election on November 8, 2016.[1]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Garret Graves Incumbent |
62.7% | 207,483 | |
| Democratic | Richard Lieberman | 14.9% | 49,380 | |
| Republican | Robert Bell | 10.1% | 33,592 | |
| Democratic | Jermaine Sampson | 9% | 29,822 | |
| Libertarian | Richard Fontanesi | 2.3% | 7,603 | |
| Other | Devin Graham | 1% | 3,218 | |
| Total Votes | 331,098 | |||
| Source: Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
2014
The 6th Congressional District of Louisiana held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Garret Graves (R) and Edwin Edwards (D) secured enough votes to participate in a runoff on December 6, 2014. Graves was the winner in the runoff election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Garret Graves |
62.4% | 139,209 | |
| Democratic | Edwin Edwards | 37.6% | 83,781 | |
| Total Votes | 222,990 | |||
| Source: Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Bell | 2.0% | 5,182 | |
| Republican | Dan Claitor | 10.26% | 26,524 | |
| Republican | Norm Clark | 0.71% | 1,848 | |
| Republican | Paul Dietzel | 13.55% | 35,024 | |
| Republican | Garret Graves |
27.36% | 70,715 | |
| Republican | Craig McCulloch | 2.25% | 5,815 | |
| Republican | Trey Thomas | 0.56% | 1,447 | |
| Republican | Lenar Whitney | 7.41% | 19,151 | |
| Democratic | Edwin Edwards |
30.12% | 77,866 | |
| Democratic | Richard Lieberman | 2.83% | 7,309 | |
| Democratic | Peter Williams | 1.56% | 4,037 | |
| Libertarian | Rufus Holt Craig Jr. | 1.38% | 3,561 | |
| Total Votes | 258,479 | |||
| Source: Louisiana Secretary of State | ||||
Richard Lieberman[2]- Peter Williams[3]
- Edwin Edwards: Former Governor of Louisiana[4][5][6][7]
Paul Dietzel[8][9]- Bob Bell[3]
- Cassie Felder: Attorney[10][11]
- Dan Claitor: State Senator[12]
- Norman Clark[13]
- Charles Thomas[14]
- Craig McCulloch[15]
- Garret Graves: Former coastal protection adviser for Gov. Bobby Jindal[16]
- Lenar Whitney: State Representative[17][18]
Rufus Craig[19][20]
Failed to file
Rumored candidates
- Tony Perkins: Head of Family Research Council[24]
- Erich Ponti: State representative[25]
- Hunter Greene: State representative[25]
- Shelley Hendrix: Huffington Post contributor and autism awareness advocate[26]
Withdrew prior to primary
Declined to run
- Jeff Landry: Former U.S. Representative[25]
2012
The 6th Congressional District of Louisiana held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Bill Cassidy won re-election in the district.[28]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bill Cassidy Incumbent |
79.4% | 243,553 | |
| Libertarian | Rufus Holt Craig,Jr | 10.5% | 32,185 | |
| None | Richard Torregano | 10.1% | 30,975 | |
| Total Votes | 306,713 | |||
| Source: Louisiana Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Bill Cassidy won re-election to the United States House, defeating Merritt E. McDonald Sr. (D).
| U.S. House, Louisiana District 6 Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Bill Cassidy |
65.6% | 138,607 | |
| Democratic | Merritt E. McDonald Sr. | 34.4% | 72,577 | |
| Total Votes | 211,184 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Bill Cassidy won election to the United States House. He defeated Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr (D) and Michael Jackson (I).
| U.S. House, Louisiana District 6 Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Bill Cassidy |
48.1% | 150,332 | |
| Democratic | Donald J. Cazayoux | 40.3% | 125,886 | |
| Independent | Michael Jackson | 11.6% | 36,198 | |
| Total Votes | 312,416 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Richard H. Baker won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Richard M. Fontanesi (L) in the primary election.
| U.S. House, Louisiana District 6 Primary Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Richard H. Baker |
82.8% | 94,658 | |
| Libertarian | Richard M. Fontanesi | 17.2% | 19,648 | |
| Total Votes | 114,306 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Richard H. Baker won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Rufus Holt Craig, Jr. (D) and Edward Anthony "Scott" Galmon (D) in the primary election.
| U.S. House, Louisiana District 6 Primary Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Richard H. Baker |
72.2% | 189,106 | |
| Democratic | Rufus Holt Craig, Jr. | 19.4% | 50,732 | |
| Democratic | Edward Anthony "Scott" Galmon | 8.4% | 22,031 | |
| Total Votes | 261,869 | |||
2002
On November 5, 2002, Richard H. Baker won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Rick Moscatello (Independent) in the primary election.
| U.S. House, Louisiana District 6 Primary Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Richard H. Baker |
84% | 146,932 | |
| Independent | Rick Moscatello | 16% | 27,898 | |
| Total Votes | 174,830 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Richard H. Baker won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Kathy J. Rogillo (D) and Michael S. Wolf (Other) in the primary election.
| U.S. House, Louisiana District 6 Primary Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Richard H. Baker |
68% | 165,637 | |
| Democratic | Kathy J. Rogillo | 29.7% | 72,192 | |
| Independent | Independent | 2.3% | 5,649 | |
| Total Votes | 243,478 | |||
District map
Redistricting
2020-2024
On November 4, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Louisiana v. Callais (formerly Callais v. Landry) consolidated with Robinson v. Callais — two appeals from the U.S. District Court for Western Louisiana decision that struck down the state's new congressional map. The Court noted probable jurisdiction and allotted one hour for oral argument.[29][30]
On May 15, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked an April 30 ruling by the U.S. District Court for Western Louisiana striking down the state's congressional map. As a result, the map was used for Louisiana’s 2024 congressional elections.[31] According to ScotusBlog,
| “ | In a brief unsigned order the justices blocked a ruling by a federal court that had barred the state from using the new map on the ground that legislators had relied too heavily on race when they drew it earlier this year. The order cited an election doctrine known as the Purcell principle – the idea that courts should not change election rules during the period just before an election because of the confusion that it will cause for voters and the problems that doing so could cause for election officials. The lower court’s order will remain on hold, the court indicated, while an appeal to the Supreme Court moves forward.[31][32] | ” |
Gov. Jeff Landry signed the congressional map into law on January 22 after a special legislative session. The state House of Representatives voted 86-16 and the state Senate voted 27-11 to adopt this congressional map on January 19.[33][34]
According to NPR, "Under the new map, Louisiana's 2nd District, which encompasses much of New Orleans and surrounding areas, will have a Black population of about 53%. Democratic U.S. Rep. Troy Carter represents that district, which has been Louisiana's only majority-Black district for several years. Louisiana's 6th District now stretches from parts of Shreveport to Baton Rouge and will have a Black population of about 56%."[35]
On November 10, 2023, a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a 2022 injunction that blocked the implementation of Louisiana’s congressional district maps, for violating the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of African American voters. The court also issued a deadline for the state to enact new maps for the 2024 election cycle.[36] On November 30, 2023, the U.S. District Court for Middle Louisiana extended the deadline for the creation of new maps that comply with the Voting Rights Act to January 30, 2024.[37] Gov. Jeff Landry called a special session of the Louisiana state legislature on January 15, 2024 — days after he assumed office on January 8 — to draw new maps in compliance with the court's order.[38]
How does redistricting in Louisiana work? In Louisiana, both congressional and state legislative districts are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor. In the event that the legislature is unable to approve state legislative district boundaries, the state supreme court must draw the lines. There is no such practice that applies to congressional districts.[39]
The state legislature has adopted guidelines for redistricting. These guidelines suggest that both congressional and state legislative districts be contiguous and "respect recognized political boundaries and the natural geography of the state to the extent practicable." These guidelines are non-binding; as such, the legislature may alter them at its discretion.[39]
Below are the congressional maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Louisiana’s 2024 congressional elections.
Louisiana District 6
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Louisiana District 6
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2010-2011
In 2011, the Louisiana State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.
District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
2024
Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Louisiana's 6th the 141st most Democratic district nationally.[40]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 59.0%-39.3%.[41]
2022
Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+19. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 19 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Louisiana's 6th the 42nd most Republican district nationally.[42]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 33.9% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 64.3%.[43]
2018
Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+19. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 19 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Louisiana's 6th Congressional District the 45th most Republican nationally.[44]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.08. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.08 points toward that party.[45]
See also
- Redistricting in Louisiana
- Louisiana's 6th Congressional District election, 2024
- Louisiana's 6th Congressional District election, 2022
- Louisiana's 6th Congressional District election, 2020
- Louisiana's 6th Congressional District election, 2018
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate Inquiry," accessed July 25, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 NOLA.com, "Rick Ward drops out of race for Bill Cassidy's 6th Congressional District seat," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Louisiana Elections and Voting, "Candidate list," accessed August 27, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "Ex-gov announces bid for Congress," accessed March 17, 2014
- ↑ Roll Call, "Report: Edwin Edwards Mulls Congressional Bid," accessed January 2, 2013
- ↑ Bloomberg, "Ex-Con Ex-Governor Running for Congress," accessed February 20, 2014
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Bloomberg report confirming Edwin Edwards run for Congress not true, wife Trina says," accessed February 20, 2014
- ↑ Paul Dietzel for Congress "Home" accessed July 26, 2013
- ↑ The Hay Ride "BREAKING: Dietzel Announces For Cassidy’s Congressional Seat" accessed July 26, 2013
- ↑ Bayou Buzz, "Candidate pool in race for Louisiana's 6th Congressional District could double by year's end," accessed December 2, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Statement of Candidacy," accessed December 2, 2013
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Baton Rouge lawmaker Dan Claitor will run in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District," accessed December 9, 2013
- ↑ The Daily Reveille, "LSU student announces plan to run for U.S. House seat," accessed January 22, 2014
- ↑ The Advocate, "Thomas running for Congress," accessed February 3, 2014
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Baker small businessman Craig McCulloch to run for seat in Louisiana's 6th District," accessed February 18, 2014
- ↑ AP News, "Jindal's ex-coastal leader running for Congress," accessed March 1, 2014
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Lenar Whitney floated as possible candidate in Louisiana's 6th congressional district," accessed May 28, 2014
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Houma state representative Lenar Whitney officially enters congressional race," accessed June 4, 2014
- ↑ Greenwich Times, "Craig seeks 6th congressional seat again," accessed March 26, 2014
- ↑ News Orleans Advocate, "Libertarian Craig joins 6th District race for Congress," accessed March 26, 2014
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namednolalist - ↑ Nola.com, "Baton Rouge Council Member Ryan Heck confirms plans to run for Congress," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ The Advocate, "Lawyer joins race for Congress," accessed February 3, 2014
- ↑ Bayou Buzz, " Tony Perkins Considers Run for Congress," accessed October 15, 2013
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Roll Call "Landrieu Race Pivotal to Political Futures in Bayou State | Farm Team" accessed July 26, 2013
- ↑ NOLA.com, "Shelley Hendrix could jump into 6th District race, report says," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ Nola.com, "Newly-minted Port Allen Republican to run for Cassidy's seat," accessed August 12, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Louisiana"
- ↑ SCOTUSblog, "Supreme Court will hear case on second majority-Black district in Louisiana redistricting," November 4, 2024
- ↑ The American Redistricting Project, "Louisiana v. Callais," November 4, 2024
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 SCOTUSblog, "Court allows Louisiana to move forward with two majority-Black districts," May 15, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Roll Call, "Louisiana Legislature passes new congressional map," January 19, 2024
- ↑ Ballotpedia's Legislation Tracker, "Louisiana SB8," accessed January 25, 2024
- ↑ NPR, "After a court fight, Louisiana's new congressional map boosts Black political power," January 23, 2024
- ↑ The New York Times, "Louisiana Must Finalize New Voting Map by January, Federal Appeals Court Says," November 10, 2023
- ↑ AP News, "Louisiana granted extra time to draw new congressional map that complies with Voting Rights Act," December 12, 2023
- ↑ Roll Call, "Louisiana Legislature passes new congressional map," January 19, 2024
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 All About Redistricting, "Louisiana," accessed April 30, 2015
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
