The first round of the Louisiana House election of 2006 will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. The terms of all seven Representatives to the United States House of Representatives will expire on January 3, 2007, and will be put up for contest. The winning candidates will serve a two-year term from January 3, 2007 to January 3, 2009. If necessary, a runoff round will be held on December 9, 2006. Official language(s) English and French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans at last census; probably Baton Rouge since Hurricane Katrina Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33... November 7 is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 54 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Seal of the House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is, along with the United States Senate, one of the two houses of the Congress of the United States. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Louisiana uses a unique voting system to determine its representation in the U.S. Congress. Elections in Louisiana—with the exception of U.S. presidential elections—follow a variation of the open primary system called the jungle primary. Candidates of any and all parties are listed on one ballot; voters need not limit themselves to the candidates of one party. Unless one candidate takes more than 50% of the vote in the first round, a run-off election is then held between the top two candidates, who may in fact be members of the same party. This means that the outcome of some races might not be known until over a month later than the rest of the country. A type of direct primary open to voters regardless of their party affiliation. ... In the jungle primary, all candidates run in the same initial election regardless of party label. ...

The Louisiana races, especially those in the southern portion of the state, will all be impacted to some extent as a result of Hurricane Katrina, as well as Hurricane Rita, both of which have caused massive damage within Louisiana. For example, most of New Orleans' majority African-American communities have been displaced by Katrina, which in addition to the William Jefferson bribery scandal could result in a higher Republican turnout in New Orleans. Also, several Southwestern Louisiana communities that were heavily damaged or destroyed in Rita could also be a factor in voter turnout, given the possibility of how many residents in that region moved elsewhere. It should also be noted that Democratic Governor Kathleen Blanco is unpopular at this moment with a -15% net approval rating according to a recent Survey USA poll. Lowest pressure 902 mbar (hPa) Damages $81. ... Lowest pressure 895 mbar (hPa)[1] Damages $10 billion (2005 USD)[1] Fatalities 7 direct, 113 indirect Areas affected Bahamas, Florida, Cuba, Yucatán Peninsula, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Rita is the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most...

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Individual District Races

1st Congressional District

Incumbent Congressman Bobby Jindal is quite popular statewide, having narrowly lost the 2003 gubernatorial election, and the First District is generally considered a safe seat for the Republicans. However, Jindal is a serious candidate for the 2007 gubernatorial election, which could be used by opponents to argue that Jindal is not really interested in serving the District. The 1st Louisiana Congressional District seat is mostly comprised of land on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, although it also contains some of the South Shore. ... Rep. ... Metairie (local pronunciations , ) is an unincorporated, census-designated place (CDP) located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. ... Metairie (local pronunciations , ) is an unincorporated, census-designated place (CDP) located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. ... River Ridge is a census-designated place and town located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, on the East Bank of the Mississippi River, just below Kenner, Louisiana. ... Rep. ... The Louisiana gubernatorial election of 2003 resulted in the election of Kathleen Babineaux Blanco as governor of Louisiana. ... The Louisiana gubernatorial election of 2007 will be held in two rounds. ...

2nd Congressional District

Incumbent Congressman William Jefferson (D) has been under intense investigation and the FBI has claimed that it has videotaped him accepting $100,000 in bribes. The police also found money in Jefferson's freezer that was hidden amidst frozen food products. Jefferson has also been stripped of his membership in the Ways and Means Committee as a result of this scandal. While it is very unlikely this district will switch to the Republican Party, there is a strong possibility of a Democrat knocking off Jefferson. The seat is located in heavily Democratic New Orleans. No Republican has represented this district since Reconstruction. A Republican lawyer, Joe Lavigne, has officially entered the race against Jefferson, while State Senator Derrick Shepherd of Marrero, State Representative Karen Carter, and former City Councillor Troy Carter are three of the more well-known Democrats challenging Jefferson. Cook Political Report rating: Likely Democratic. The 2nd Louisiana Congressional District in contained in Greater New Orleans. ... William Jefferson William Jennings Jefferson (born March 14, 1947), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1991, representing the 2nd District of Louisiana, which includes much of the Greater New Orleans area (map) On July 30, 2005, he was caught on video... Marrero is a census-designated place and unincorporated community located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. ... The New Orleans mayoral election of 2002 was an election for Mayor of New Orleans; the primary round of voting was held on February 2, 2002, followed by a runoff on March 2. ... New Orleans Public Schools (also known as the Orleans Parish School Board) is a school district that serves all of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. ... The 1st Louisiana Congressional District seat is mostly comprised of land on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, although it also contains some of the South Shore. ... Joe Lavigne is currently the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Louisianas 2nd Congressional District (map). ... William Jefferson William Jennings Jefferson (born March 14, 1947) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Louisiana. ... New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ... // Reconstruction was the period in United States history, 1865–77, that resolved the issues of the American Civil War when both the Confederacy and its system of slavery were destroyed. ... Joe Lavigne is currently the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Louisianas 2nd Congressional District (map). ... Marrero is a census-designated place and unincorporated community located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. ...

3rd Congressional District

In a December 2004 runoff, now-incumbent Charlie Melancon (D) squeaked into Congress by 569 votes over Billy Tauzin III, the son and namesake of his popular predecessor. His is a swing district in southeast Louisiana, which may make him vulnerable. However, Louisiana's unique open primary voting system (where everyone runs against everyone else, regardless of party affiliation, and if no one takes 50% then the top two enter a runoff) leaves everything subject to speculation. A potential wild card is the effect of comments made by House Speaker Dennis Hastert in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, in which he publicly questioned whether the federal government should rebuild much of the city of New Orleans. The backlash from his comments, and from the general perception of a less-than-effective response by the Republican administration, could benefit Democrats in the state. However, many voters (particularly African-Americans and the poor, two strongly Democratic demographics) have moved elsewhere while the cleanup commences, and it's unclear how many of them will return. Melancon is facing state Senator Craig Romero (R), who finished a close third in the 2004 open primary. Cook Political Report rating: Lean Democratic. The 3rd Louisiana Congressional District in contained in Greater New Orleans. ... Charles J. (Charlie) Melancon (pronounced Meh-lahn-son) (born October 3, 1947 in Napoleonville, Louisiana) is a Democrat who was elected to represent Louisianas Third Congressional District (map) in a December 4, 2004 runoff election. ... Napoleonville is a village located in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. ... Craig Romero has represented Louisianas State Senate District 22 since 1992. ... The small city of New Iberia is the parish seat of Iberia Parish, in the US state of Louisiana, 125 miles (201 km) west of New Orleans. ... Franklin is a small city located in St. ... La Place (sometimes spelled LaPlace or Laplace) is a suburb of New Orleans and a census-designated place located in St. ... Charles J. (Charlie) Melancon (pronounced Meh-lahn-son) (born October 3, 1947 in Napoleonville, Louisiana) is a Democrat who was elected to represent Louisianas Third Congressional District (map) in a December 4, 2004 runoff election. ... Wilbert Joseph Billy Tauzin III was born in 1971, son of Billy Tauzin. ... Official language(s) English and French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans at last census; probably Baton Rouge since Hurricane Katrina Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33... Dennis Hastert, the current Speaker, presiding from a chair in the front of the chamber. ... Dennis Hastert John Dennis Hastert (born January 2, 1942) is an American politician, and has served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 1999. ... Lowest pressure 902 mbar (hPa) Damages $81. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Crescent City, The Big Easy, The City That Care Forgot Location Location in the State of Louisiana and the United States Coordinates , Government Country State Parish United States Louisiana Orleans Parish, Louisiana Founded 1718 Mayor Ray Nagin (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 350. ... Craig Romero has represented Louisianas State Senate District 22 since 1992. ...

4th Congressional District

Incumbent five-term Congressman Jim McCrery is widely expected to retain his seat in this conservative North Louisiana district. The 4th Louisiana Congressional District contains northwestern Louisiana. ... Rep. ... Shreveport, Louisiana is the third largest metropolitan city in the state of Louisiana, USA. It is located in Caddo Parish, and as of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 200,145. ...

5th Congressional District

Two-term incumbent Rodney Alexander (R), first elected in 2002, began his 2004 re-election campaign as an Democrat but switched parties to run as a Republican just before the filing deadline. The 3rd Louisiana Congressional District contains northeastern and central Louisiana. ... Rodney Alexander (born December 5, 1946) is an American politician from the Republican Party. ... Quitman is a village located in Jackson Parish, Louisiana. ... Pineville is a city located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. ... Alexandria is a city in Louisiana, U.S.A.; it is the parish seat of Rapides Parish, on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. ... There is also a Bastrop, Texas The city of Bastrop is the parish seat of Morehouse Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. ... Rodney Alexander (born December 5, 1946) is an American politician from the Republican Party. ...

6th Congressional District

This seat is considered a safe one for the Republican incumbent Richard H. Baker, first elected in 1986. A Democrat has not represented the district since 1975. The 6th Louisiana Congressional District is located in the center of the state of Louisiana and contains the capital city of Baton Rouge. ... Richard Hugh Baker (born May 22, 1948), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1987, representing the 6th District of Louisiana. ... Capitol Building Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, a state of the United States of America. ... Capitol Building Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, a state of the United States of America. ... Richard Hugh Baker (born May 22, 1948), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1987, representing the 6th District of Louisiana. ...

7th Congressional District

Incumbent Charles Boustany won 55% to 45% in the December 2004 runoff, and should be a good bet for reelection in his relatively conservative Southwest Louisiana district. He got a break when Chris John, the Democrat who represented this district from 1997 until his Senate run in 2004, decided not to run again. However, this district was heavily damaged by Hurricane Rita, and it is not known how many voters have temporarily—or permanently —moved elsewhere. The 7th Louisiana Congressional District is located in southwestern Louisiana and contains the cities of Lake Charles and Crowley. ... Charles Boustany Jr. ... Lafayette is a city located on the Vermilion River in Lafayette Parish, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. ... Lafayette is a city located on the Vermilion River in Lafayette Parish, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. ... Charles Boustany Jr. ... Christopher John (born January 5, American politician, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1997 to 2005, representing the 7th District of Louisiana. ... Lowest pressure 895 mbar (hPa)[1] Damages $10 billion (2005 USD)[1] Fatalities 7 direct, 113 indirect Areas affected Bahamas, Florida, Cuba, Yucatán Peninsula, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Rita is the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most...

See also

• United States House elections, 2006
• United States House elections, 2006 complete list
• United States Congressional Delegations from Louisiana