Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves said he plans to run for re-election, but he hasn’t committed if it will be District Six, his current seat that was reapportioned as the state’s second majority-Black district.
LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan said Graves could run against fellow Republican Julia Letlow in District Five.
“Another option that people have pointed out is some of the Third District, Congressman Clay Higgins’ district comes over into the Baton Rouge area and he may run there, and again that is a heavily Republican district,” said Hogan.
Democratic State Senator Cleo Fields has already announced he’ll run for District 6 and Hogan said if Graves chooses to run against him, it will be extremely competitive.
“That is going to be one where Garret Graves would be facing a challenger who has the potential to raise an enormous amount of money, and it also, this kind of race get national attention and will draw national contributors,” said Hogan.
On social media Graves posted “Because of the absurdity of the map, we are looking through these districts to determine where we can best represent the interests and the priorities of the people of Louisiana for the next two years until a reasonable map is restored.”
If Graves chooses to run against Fields versus another incumbent Republican, Hogan believes the GOP will be more likely to support him.
“Especially if it a possibility that if it comes down to just a few seats for who controls the chamber,” said Hogan.
Qualifying is July 17 – 19 for the November 5 election.
