Louisiana Democrats make endorsements in congressional races

The Louisiana Democratic Party has selected the candidates it will officially back in the Nov. 3 congressional midterm elections, when Republicans will be heavily favored to retain five of the state’s six seats they hold in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Democratic State Executive Committee endorsed Lindsay “Rubia” Garcia of Walker over two other party members — Chauna Banks and Pat Forbes — in the race for the new 6th District. Forbes, the former head of the state Office of Community Development, had received the backing of his former boss, Gov. John Bel Edwards, upon qualifying Aug. 6.

Garcia was the state party’s pick in the former 5th District before Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order that removed U.S. House races from the May 15 party primary ballot. She is a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit challenging the order, though her case remains in legal limbo.

“Humbled. Honored. And completely ready to work,” Garcia, a former teacher and Southern University law school graduate, said in a news release Saturday from her campaign.

State Rep. Pat Moore of Monroe received the Louisiana Democratic Party’s endorsement in the 5th District race over Bunkie lawyer Dan McKay and Tallulah contractor Antonio Wilson. Moore has held her legislative seat since 2019. 

John Day, a professional writer and U.S. Navy veteran from Lake Charles, won the endorsement for the 3rd District race over Lafayette lawyer Priscilla Gonzales. 

Conrad Cable, a Union Parish farmer, was the Democrats’ choice in the 4th District race over Shreveport educator Matt Gromlich. 

Louisiana’s congressional elections are being decided through an open “jungle” primary with candidates from all parties placed on the ballot. The state diverted from its new semi-closed party primary system after a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in April on a Louisiana redistricting case opened the door for state lawmakers to redraw its U.S. House districts. 

The new versions, along with Landry’s executive order to suspend the U.S. House races in May,   effectively ended the reelection bid of U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, in the 6th District. 

The lone remaining Democrat in Louisiana’s congressional delegation, 2nd District U.S. Rep. Troy Carter of New Orleans, does not face any opponents from his own party. Nor does Metairie teacher Lauren Jewett, who is challenging House Majority Leader Steve Scalise in the 1st District 

In what’s been an unconventional endorsement process, the Louisiana Republican Party has backed two candidates in the 6th District: state Sens. Rick Edmonds in Baton Rouge and Blake Miguez of New Iberia.

The Louisiana GOP has backed Board of Regents chair Misti Cordell of Monroe in the 5th District, though it has not closed the door on additional endorsements. Other Republicans in the race include state Reps. Mike Echols of Monroe and Gabe Firment of Pollock, and state Sen. Stewart Cathey of Monroe.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is a heavy favorite to keep his seat in the 4th District as is U.S. Rep Clay Higgins in the 3rd District.