Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District

Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District

Incumbent

Troy Carter

Assumed office: May 11, 2021

Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Troy Carter (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 2nd 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 2

Incumbent Troy Carter won election outright against Christy Lynch, Devin Lance Graham, Devin Davis, and Shondrell Perrilloux in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 2 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Troy Carter (D)	60.3	184,009
		Christy Lynch (R)	13.6	41,641
		Devin Lance Graham (R)	12.8	39,174
		Devin Davis (D)	10.6	32,482
		Shondrell Perrilloux (R)	2.6	7,878

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 305,184
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2022

See also: Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District election, 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 2

Incumbent Troy Carter won election outright against Dan Lux in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Troy Carter (D)	77.1	158,120
		Dan Lux (R)	22.9	46,927

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 205,047
= 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.
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2021

See also: Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District special election, 2021

A special election to fill the seat representing Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House was held March 20, 2021. The filing deadline was January 22, 2021. If necessary, the general election was held on April 24, 2021.

The special election filled the vacancy left by Cedric Richmond (D). On November 17, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden (D) announced that Richmond would join his administration as a senior adviser to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

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.

General election

Special general election for U.S. House Louisiana District 2

Troy Carter defeated Karen Peterson in the special general election for U.S. House Louisiana District 2 on April 24, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Troy Carter (D)	55.2	48,513
		Karen Peterson (D)	44.8	39,297

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 87,810
= 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.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Special nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 2

The following candidates ran in the special primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 2 on March 20, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Troy Carter (D)	36.4	34,402
✔		Karen Peterson (D)	22.9	21,673
		Gary Chambers (D)	21.3	20,163
		Claston Bernard (R)	9.8	9,237
		Chelsea Ardoin (R)	3.4	3,218
		Greg Lirette (R)	2.5	2,349
	Submit photo	Sheldon Vincent Sr. (R)	0.8	754
		Desiree Ontiveros (D)	0.7	699
		Belden Batiste (Independent)	0.6	598
	Submit photo	Harold John (D)	0.4	403
		Mindy McConnell (L)	0.3	323
		J. Christopher Johnson (D)	0.3	288
	Submit photo	Jenette Porter (D)	0.3	244
	Submit photo	Lloyd Kelly (D)	0.1	122
		Brandon Jolicoeur (Independent)	0.1	94

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 94,567
= 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.
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2020

See also: Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District election, 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 2

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cedric Richmond (D)	63.6	201,636
		David Schilling (R)	15.0	47,575
	Submit photo	Glenn Harris (D)	10.6	33,684
	Submit photo	Sheldon Vincent Sr. (R)	4.9	15,565
		Belden Batiste (Independent)	3.9	12,268
		Colby James (Independent)	2.0	6,254

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 316,982
= 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.
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2018

See also: Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District election, 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 2

Incumbent Cedric Richmond won election outright against Jesse Schmidt, Belden Batiste, and Shawndra Rodriguez in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 2 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cedric Richmond (D)	80.6	190,182
		Jesse Schmidt (Independent)	8.7	20,465
		Belden Batiste (Independent)	7.3	17,260
		Shawndra Rodriguez (Independent)	3.4	8,075

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 235,982
= 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

See also: Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Cedric Richmond (D) defeated Kip Holden (D), Kenneth Cutno (D), and Samuel Davenport (L) in the primary election on November 8, 2016.

U.S. House, Louisiana District 2 Primary Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Cedric Richmond Incumbent	69.8%	198,289
	Democratic	Kip Holden	20.1%	57,125
	Democratic	Kenneth Cutno	10.2%	28,855
Total Votes				284,269
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State

2014

See also: Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014

The 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Cedric Richmond (D) defeated challengers Gary Landrieu (D), Samuel Davenport (L) and David Brooks (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Louisiana District 2 Primary Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Cedric Richmond Incumbent	68.7%	152,201
	Democratic	Gary Landrieu	17.1%	37,805
	Libertarian	Samuel Davenport	6.9%	15,237
	Independent	David Brooks	7.4%	16,327
Total Votes				221,570
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State

• Cedric Richmond - Incumbent
• Gary Landrieu
• Samuel Davenport
• David Brooks

Disqualified

• Rufus Johnson

2012

See also: Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2012

The 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Cedric Richmond won re-election in the district.

U.S. House, Louisiana District 2 Primary Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Cedric Richmond Incumbent	55.2%	158,501
	Democratic	Gary Landrieu	25%	71,916
	Republican	Dwayne Bailey	13.5%	38,801
	Republican	Josue Larose	3.9%	11,345
	Libertarian	Caleb Trotter	2.4%	6,791
Total Votes				287,354
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Cedric Richmond won election to the United States House. He defeated Anh "Joseph" Cao (R), Anthony Marquize (Independent) and Jack Radosta (Independent).

U.S. House, Louisiana District 2 Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Cedric Richmond	64.6%	83,705
	Republican	Anh "Joseph" Cao	33.5%	43,378
	Independent	Anthony Marquize	1.4%	1,876
	Independent	Jack Radosta	0.5%	645
Total Votes				129,604

2008
On November 4, 2008, Anh "Joseph" Cao won election to the United States House. He defeated William J. Jefferson (D), Gregory W. Kahn (L) and Malik Rahim (G).

U.S. House, Louisiana District 2 Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Anh "Joseph" Cao	49.5%	33,132
	Democratic	William J. Jefferson	46.8%	31,318
	Libertarian	Gregory W. Kahn	0.8%	549
	Green	Malik Rahim	2.8%	1,883
Total Votes				66,882

2006
On November 7, 2006, William J. Jefferson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Scott Barron (D), Regina Bartholomew (D), Karen Carter (D), Troy "C" Carter (D), Deven "D.C." Collins (D), John Edwards (D), M.V. "Vinny" Mendoza (D), Derrick Shepherd (D), Eric T. Bradley (R), Joseph "Joe" Lavigne (R), Lawrence William "Lance" von Uhde III (R) and Gregory W. "Rhumbline" Kahn (L) in the primary election.

U.S. House, Louisiana District 2 Primary Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	William J. Jefferson	32.7%	35,153
	Democratic	Scott Barron	0.6%	621
	Democratic	Regina Bartholomew	1%	1,125
	Democratic	Karen Carter	25.1%	27,011
	Democratic	Troy "C" Carter	10.5%	11,304
	Democratic	Deven "D.C." Collins	0.1%	121
	Democratic	John Edwards	0.6%	675
	Democratic	M.V. "Vinny" Mendoza	0.4%	402
	Democratic	Derrick Shepherd	15.6%	16,799
	Republican	Eric T. Bradley	1.1%	1,159
	Republican	Joseph "Joe" Lavigne	11.6%	12,511
	Republican	Lawrence William "Lace" von Uhde III	0.2%	258
	Libertarian	Gregory W. "Rhumbline" Kahn	0.4%	404
Total Votes				107,543

2004
On November 2, 2004, William J. Jefferson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Arthur L. "Art" Schwertz (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Louisiana District 2 Primary Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	William J. Jefferson	79%	173,510
	Republican	Arthur L. "Art" Schwertz	21%	46,097
Total Votes				219,607

2002
On November 5, 2002, William J. Jefferson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated "Silky" Sullivan (R), Irma Muse Dixon (D), Clarence "Buddy" Hunt (D), Wayne E. Clement (Other) in the primary election.

U.S. House, Louisiana District 2 Primary Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	William J. Jefferson	63.5%	90,310
	Republican	"Silky" Sullivan	10.9%	15,440
	Democratic	Irma Muse Dixon	20%	28,480
	Democratic	Clarence "Buddy" Hunt	2.9%	4,137
	Independent	Wayne E. Clement	2.7%	3,789
Total Votes				142,156

2000
William J. Jefferson (D) ran unopposed for re-election in 2000.

Redistricting

2020-2024

See also: Redistricting in Louisiana after the 2020 census

On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court scheduled Louisiana v. Callais for reargument in its next term. In August 2025, the Court scheduled arguments for October 15, 2025.

The Court first heard oral arguments in the case on March 24, 2025. 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.

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. 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.

”

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.

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%."

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. 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. 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.

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.

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.

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 2
before 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Louisiana District 2
after 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Louisiana after the 2010 census

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

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+17. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 17 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Louisiana's 2nd the 86th most Democratic district nationally.

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+16. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 16 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Louisiana's 2nd the 87th most Democratic district nationally.

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) 67.1%-31.2%.

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 D+25. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 25 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Louisiana's 2nd the 38th most Democratic district nationally.

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 75.4% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 22.9%.

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 D+25. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 25 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District the 42nd most Democratic nationally.

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 0.98. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.98 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Louisiana
• Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024
• Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District election, 2022
• Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020
• Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 2

Footnotes

[show]

Louisiana's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Bill Cassidy (R)

John Kennedy (R)

Representatives

District 1

Steve Scalise (R)

District 2

Troy Carter (D)

District 3

Clay Higgins (R)

District 4

Mike Johnson (R)

District 5

Julia Letlow (R)

District 6

Cleo Fields (D)

Republican Party (6)

Democratic Party (2)