News

La. Dems back ex-con/Gov. EWE

by Walter Pierce

The state party says the district is "challenging terrain" for a Democrat but makes no mention of the former governor's eight years in federal prison.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana's Democratic Central Committee is endorsing former Gov. Edwin Edwards in the race for the state's 6th Congressional District seat.

Monday's announcement acknowledges that the conservative southeast Louisiana district, now represented by Republican Bill Cassidy, is "challenging terrain" for a Democrat. It makes no mention of the four-term former governor's corruption conviction and the eight years he spent in federal prison.

Cassidy is giving up the seat to run against Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu in the Nov. 4 election.

Two other Democrats are in the 13-candidate field but neither is well known and neither reports having raised any campaign money. Nine Republicans and a Libertarian also signed up for the race.