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Louisiana's 5th Congressional District special election, 2021
- Primary date: March 20[1]
- General election date: April 24 (if needed)
- Registration deadline(s): February 17 (in person/by mail) & February 27 (online)
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: No
- Start of early voting: March 6
- Absentee voting deadline(s): March 19 (received)
- Voter ID: Photo ID
- Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.[2]
118th →
← 116th
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2022 Congressional Elections 2022 U.S. Senate Elections 2022 U.S. House Elections |
Julia Letlow (R) won the special primary election in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District on March 20, 2021 with 64.5% of the vote. The special election filled the vacancy left by Luke Letlow (R), who died before being seated in the 117th Congress from complications related to COVID-19.[3]
Candy Christophe (D) and Julia Letlow (R) led the field in media coverage leading up to the election. Christophe, the only Democratic candidate running in the primary, has worked as a business owner and social worker.[4] Letlow, the widow of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, has worked in marketing and as an administrator at the University of Louisiana Monroe and Tulane University.[5] To read more about the candidates’ key campaign messages, click here.
Chad Conerly (R), Allen Guillory Sr. (R), Robert Lansden (R), Jaycee Magnuson (R), Horace Melton (R), Richard Pannell (R), Sancha Smith (R), Errol Victor (R), Jim Davis (I), and M.V. Mendoza (I) also ran.
Before 2021, Louisiana’s 5th was represented by Ralph Abraham (R), who won re-election in the 2018 nonpartisan primary with 67% of the vote to Jessee Carlton Fleenor’s (D) 30%. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) defeated Joe Biden (D) 65% to 34% in the district.[6] Louisiana's 5th was last represented by a Democrat in 2004, when Rep. Rodney Alexander (R) changed his partisan affiliation from Democratic to Republican.[7]
Christophe previously ran in the 2020 primary election in Louisiana’s 5th. Luke Letlow and Lance Harris (R) advanced to the general election with 33.1% and 16.6% of the vote, respectively. Christophe received 16.4% of the vote. Luke Letlow won the runoff election against Harris by 24% of the vote. Letlow died from complications related to COVID-19 on December 29, 2020, five days before the 117th Congress was sworn in on January 3, 2021.
As of September 27, 2025, 17 special elections have been called during the 117th Congress. From the 113th Congress to the 116th Congress, 50 special elections were held. For more data on historical congressional special elections, click here. Two of the special elections called for the 117th Congress were taking place in Louisiana, in the 5th Congressional District and the 2nd Congressional District. Louisiana's 5th Congressional District election and Texas' 6th Congressional District election were both called to fill vacancies left by politicians who died from complications related to COVID-19.
Louisiana elections use the Louisiana majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50% 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.
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article. If necessary, the general election was scheduled for April 24, 2021.[8]
Chad Conerly (R) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Survey. To read his responses, click here.
Click on candidate names below to view their key messages:
 Christophe |
 Letlow |
Candidates and election results
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
Special nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 5
The following candidates ran in the special primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 5 on March 20, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Julia Letlow (R) | 64.9 | 67,203 |
 | Candy Christophe (D) | 27.3 | 28,255 | |
 | Chad Conerly (R)  | 5.3 | 5,497 | |
 | Robert Lansden (R) | 0.9 | 929 | |
 | Allen Guillory Sr. (R) | 0.4 | 464 | |
| Jim Davis (Independent) | 0.4 | 402 | ||
| Sancha Smith (R) | 0.3 | 334 | ||
 | M.V. Mendoza (Independent) | 0.2 | 236 | |
 | Jaycee Magnuson (R) | 0.1 | 131 | |
| Richard Pannell (R) | 0.1 | 67 | ||
 | Horace Melton (R) | 0.1 | 62 | |
| Errol Victor (R) | 0.0 | 36 | ||
| Total votes: 103,616 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff compiled a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[9]
Candy Christophe
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Christophe received bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Louisiana College, and a master’s degree in clinical social work with a minor in business administration from Grambling State University. She worked as a social worker and addiction counselor. Leading up to the election, she owned a business, Christophe Counseling & Associates, and ran a non-profit she founded, Re-Entry Solutions.
Show sources
Sources: KNOE, "Candy Christophe discusses run for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District," January 14, 2021, Candy Christophe's campaign website, "Home," accessed February 3, 2021; Candy Christophe campaign website, "Meet Candy," accessed February 3, 2021, LinkedIn, "Candy Christophe," accessed February 3, 2021
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Louisiana District 5 in 2021.
Chad Conerly
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I'm a retired Air Force officer from Kentwood LA. I enlisted in the Louisiana Air National Guard in 1986 and earned my commission through the LSU Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in 1992. Over my long career, I progressed from Airman Basic to the rank of Colonel, and held a wide variety of leadership positions at local, regional, and national levels of Air Force Financial Management. From 2009 to 2012, I served as the Director, Resource Management, White House Communications Agency, Washington DC. I've commanded two Air Force Squadrons and deployed multiple times, including tours in Kuwait and Iraq. I've led complex cost analysis and contracting organizations, managed weapon system acquisition programs, and am well versed in all aspects of the US federal budget. I retired in 2014 as Chief, Financial Management Analysis, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City LA. I'm a proud graduate of LSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business. Additionally, I've earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Masters of Science in Strategic Leadership degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology. For the last 6 years, I've helped manage my family's farm while reestablishing my deep roots in the 5th Congressional District. I'm married to the former Candice King of New Roads LA and we have two sons, Tyler and Brandon."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Louisiana District 5 in 2021.
Robert Lansden
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "In addition to his extensive military career, Captain Lansden is also a successful businessman both in the corporate sector and as a small business owner. Upon graduation from law school and until 1997, Captain Lansden served as the Vice President for two different Louisiana based shipping companies. In 1998, Captain Lansden left his corporate executive position to open his own private practice law firm where he specializes in all admiralty matters, personal injury, and corporate formation. With 27 years experience, Captain Lansden has a personal understanding of the successes and trials that small business owners face. At the same time, he knows the inner-workings of the corporate world as well."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Louisiana District 5 in 2021.
Julia Letlow
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Letlow received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech communication from the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM). She received a Ph.D. in communication from the University of South Florida. She worked as an administrator, teacher, and marketing professional at ULM and Tulane University. Leading up to the election, Letlow was an executive assistant to the president for external affairs and community outreach at ULM.
Show sources
Sources: KTVE/KARD, "12 candidates qualified for 5th Congressional District race; See what some had to say," January 27, 2021, Julia Letlow campaign website, "The Issues," accessed February 3, 2021; Julia Letlow campaign website, "Julia Letlow, Ph.D., Announces Candidacy for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District," January 19, 2021, LinkedIn, "Julia (Barnhill) Letlow, PhD," accessed February 3, 2021
This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Louisiana District 5 in 2021.
Noteworthy primary endorsements
This section includes noteworthy endorsements issued in the primary, added as we learn about them. Click here to read how we define noteworthy primary endorsements. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.
| Louisiana's 5th Congressional District primary endorsements | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endorsement | Christophe | Letlow | ||||
| Elected officials | ||||||
| Rep. Daniel Crenshaw (R)[10] | ✔ | |||||
| Sen. John Kennedy (R)[11] | ✔ | |||||
| Rep. Ashley Hinson (R)[12] | ✔ | |||||
| Rep. Mike Johnson (R)[13] | ✔ | |||||
| House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R)[14] | ✔ | |||||
| House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R)[15] | ✔ | |||||
| Individuals | ||||||
| Former Rep. Ralph Abraham (R)[16] | ✔ | |||||
| Former Vice President Mike Pence (R)[17] | ✔ | |||||
| Former President Donald Trump (R)[18] | ✔ | |||||
| Organizations | ||||||
| Defend Our Values PAC[19] | ✔ | |||||
| Democrats Work for America[20] | ✔ | |||||
| E-PAC[21] | ✔ | |||||
| Louisiana Democratic Party[22] | ✔ | |||||
| Louisiana Republican Party[23] | ✔ | |||||
| National Federation of Independent Business[24] | ✔ | |||||
| National Right to Life[25] | ✔ | |||||
| NATPAC 1947[26] | ✔ | |||||
| RightNOW Women PAC[27] | ✔ | |||||
| Stand for America PAC[28] | ✔ | |||||
| Susan B. Anthony List[29] | ✔ | |||||
| VIEW PAC[30] | ✔ | |||||
| United Rural Democrats[31] | ✔ | |||||
| Winning for Women[32] | ✔ | |||||
Timeline
2021
Campaign advertisements
This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.
Candy Christophe
Supporting Christophe
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Julia Letlow
Supporting Letlow
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Campaign themes
- See also: Campaign themes
Candy Christophe
Campaign website
Christophe’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Candy is not from a wealthy family and understands the unique struggles that most Louisiana families experience on a limited income.Candy understands the issues of small business owners who need to make loans to pay annual taxes, the struggles of balancing the books to make sure your employees are paid, shopping around for the best package benefits for your staff, and concerns of how your business will survive the COVID-19 Pandemic. As the Founder & former Executive Director of Re-Entry Solutions, Candy has experienced first hand the enormous struggles of those who have very good intentions, are not seeking self-gain or recognition but are trying to simply do good and meet the unmet needs of their neighbors. Candy will stand up and fight for every man, woman, boy, and girl in Louisiana.
Candy’s maternal grandfather, Johnny Moore was a farmer in rural East Feliciana Parish. Her husband’s grandfather, Earnest Christophe was also a farmer. She knows what it is like to walk in the garden and eat hot watermelon picked right off the vine. Having battled obesity Candy understands the value of eating fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. As a mother and grandmother, she also understands the effect food has on the next generation and how their learning is positively enhanced with eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Candy strongly believes in the survival and success of our farmers, both large and especially small. Candy also understands how the tariffs have negatively affected our farmers and how even if the crops don’t move the bills always continue. Candy will work hard to get Louisiana growing again and to get Louisiana farm products moving again!
As a small business owner, Candy understands what business owner‘s needs are, their risks, their struggles, and their concerns. Candy often says, “Team Work Makes the Dream Work!”, as your Congresswoman Candy will be that team member whom you and your business can always count on! Candy has been a front-line community worker all of her adult life. Candy has insight that many who are seeking election do not have: she understands the benefit of employment goes well beyond a paycheck for the employee and that the positive consequence of work has a multi-generational effect on the employee’s family.
Candy supports unions because she realizes the essential need to help set standards for education, skill levels, wages, working conditions, and quality of life for workers. Candy will continue to protect unions because they represent a successful way of putting “People First” by negotiating higher wages, better benefits, and offering more protection for our teachers, crafts, industry, professionals, and general workers. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Addiction Counselor, Candy understands the valuable need to work, have a safe supportive working environment, and have benefits to ensure the well being of employees and their families. Research supports the benefits of having access to preventive health care increases productivity on and off the job. You can be well assured that Candy will continue to ensure the protection of unions and our non-union workers because their success means the prospect of future generations to succeed is assured. We truly are stronger and better together when we put “People First!” *Second Amendment Rights
Candy does not want to take away your guns! Candy understands the love and culture of hunting in Louisiana and has even completed a concealed weapons class. Growing up in rural East Feliciana she has fond memories of hunting with her uncles who remain adamant hunters to this day. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Addiction Counselor Candy has also seen firsthand, the consequences of mental illness and the wrath that addiction can fuel. Candy will fight for the protection of all and will work to ensure that those who are unstable are not able to possess a weapon.
Candy has 3 uncles who have proudly served our country in the United States Armed Forces. Today, Candy has two daughters who serve in the U.S. Army. Candy will ensure that your sons and daughters are not put in harm’s way unnecessarily. She will look after them and fight to protect them as if they were her own because they are! Candy has insight like no other candidate as to the needs of our Veterans. Candy has two uncles who served in the U.S. Air Force and one who served in the U.S. Navy. She understands firsthand what it is like to worry when they are away and the direct impact their active duty service status has on the entire family.
Candy has insight like no other LA-05 candidate as to the needs of the veterans who have served our country, the V.A. System and its management, and the issues of our veterans who continue to struggle today. Candy completed her requisite master’s degree internship at the V.A. Medical Center in Pineville, La. During this internship Candy worked directly with all areas and aspects of the VA hospital including the medical floor, psychiatric unit, outpatient clinic, and nursing home. During her time at the VA, Candy experienced veteran substance abuse, women's veteran issues, and burdensome disability claims and follow up. Candy possesses the exact type of insight that is needed to ensure our Military Families and Veterans issues get resolved without unnecessary bureaucracy. *Health Care
Candy has been a professional health care worker for 25 years. Throughout her career she has worked with hospitals, small clinics, Rehabilitation Centers, corrections, community-based, school-based, and private practice. She understands the value of and strongly supports the expansion of Medicaid. Not only does it produce jobs, but it prolongs life and the quality of life. Candy often quotes her mother and grandmother by saying, “everybody is somebody’s somebody.” It is because of her wholehearted belief in this that she is able to see the value and worth in all people. Protecting and ensuring health care and its workers are an extension of the effort to value all. *LGBTQ+
Candy believes that everyone is deserving of respect and dignity. We all are God's children and that love is to be extended to all and not hate. Although the LGBTQ form of lifestyle is not right for me. I think their rights should be acknowledged and protected. I believe that people should have the right to be who they are and have the right to love and marry who they chose to love. |
” |
| —Candy Christophe’s campaign website (2021)[34] | ||
Julia Letlow
Campaign website
Letlow’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Letlow lists the following key issues on her website:
|
” |
| —Julia Letlow’s campaign website (2021)[35] | ||
Chad Conerly
Campaign website
Conerly’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Chad is 100% pro-life, and will work tirelessly to protect the unborn.
Chad backs the Blue. Law and order is key to a functioning democracy.
"The right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed," period!
Being a farmer himself, being pro agriculture isn't just a talking point ... Chad lives it.
Chad will always fight to protect the sanctity and security of our elections.
Conservative thought must be allowed to flow freely in America.
Chad is running his campaign from a mobile hotspot, and understands the challenges facing unconnected communities and how this makes it difficult to attract business and industry to rural areas.
The 5th Congressional District is one of the poorest districts in the country, with incredible natural resources. Chad will work to lift the hard working people of the 5th. [33] |
” |
| —Chad Conerly’s campaign website (2021)[36] | ||
Candidate Connections
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Chad Conerly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Conerly's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Over my long career, I progressed from Airman Basic to the rank of Colonel, and held a wide variety of leadership positions at local, regional, and national levels of Air Force Financial Management. From 2009 to 2012, I served as the Director, Resource Management, White House Communications Agency, Washington DC.
I've commanded two Air Force Squadrons and deployed multiple times, including tours in Kuwait and Iraq. I've led complex cost analysis and contracting organizations, managed weapon system acquisition programs, and am well versed in all aspects of the US federal budget. I retired in 2014 as Chief, Financial Management Analysis, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City LA.
I'm a proud graduate of LSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business. Additionally, I've earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Masters of Science in Strategic Leadership degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
For the last 6 years, I've helped manage my family's farm while reestablishing my deep roots in the 5th Congressional District. I'm married to the former Candice King of New Roads LA and we have two sons, Tyler and Brandon.- "...The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed", period!
- Big Tech must allow conservative thought to flow freely in America.
- Open the economy safely, but immediately; small businesses are dying.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Allen Guillory, Sr.
Campaign website
Guillory’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Today I am relaunching my bid for Congress I ask everyone in 5th congressional district to come together Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free," Introduction from Allen Guillory for Congress: The Fifth Congressional needs something different. We need someone who has had hardships, obstacles to cross, and one who knows our culture of the Fifth District. It's hard work, dedication, and the desire to never give up. We need a Warrior and a Fighter, someone who will speak the truth with President Trump and who will not be afraid to stand up on any topic. Congressman Ralph Abraham is a friend of mines, and he has done a wonderful job with President Trump. We need someone that will continue to keep America Great, and that person is Allen Guillory! At fifty years of age I have travelled all around the United States, have seen and talked to individuals who came from various walks of life. Within all of my life’s experiences there are two things that have not changed until now (COVID-19). That is politics and Education. The Fifth Congressional District are made of people who work hard, keep God close, and love thy neighbors. As a nation, we will need someone who can continue to keep others inspired to do so
I will make sure that we as a district get our fair share of infrastructure (roads, bridges etc.) Most Importantly, I will do everything in my power to help President Trump to keep our economy going. Please join me in this fight this November in keeping America Great! Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christs who strengthens me." [33] |
” |
| —Allen Guillory, Sr.’s Facebook page (2021)[37] | ||
Robert Lansden
Campaign website
Lansden’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Captain Lansden is unashamedly Pro-life. He will tirelessly fight to protect the lives of the unborn and fight to undo the horrific actions in Congress and by the new Administration that has waged war against God’s most precious children.
Captain Lansden knows the difference between “rights” and “privileges.” The RIGHTS enumerated in the First Amendment (most importantly Freedom of Religion) are under brutal attack by our government. Captain Lansden will fight to keep your most sacred rights as an American safe and completely uninhibited by federal, state, and local governments as the trend of this day and age is vast governmental overreach.
Just like your first amendment rights, Captain Lansden understands that NO government has the power to eliminate, restrict, or burden your right to bear arms. He will stand against the current legislation being propagated to do just that and keep your right to bear arms protected along with all your rights under the US Constitution as an American citizen.
As a veteran himself, Captain Lansden understands the tragic brush-off that so many of our Veterans receive after risking their life and liberty for our safety and security as a Nation. The V.A. System is in desperate need of reform and funding to ensure those who put their lives on the line for us aren’t left to waste away in the dysfunction of the bureaucracy that is the V.A. System. Captain Lansden believes Veterans should be honored for the sacrifice they have made rather than ignored and gaslighted.
Captain Lansden was heartbroken to see the recent attacks against the brave men and women in blue who risk their lives everyday to keep us safe and secure in our homes. They are on the frontline here at home to protect our families and aid us in crisis. We should do nothing less than uplift, support, and FULLY FUND them.
As a small-business owner, Captain Lansden personally understands the huge risks small business owners take and how disheartening it can be when the federal government chooses to invest in corporate giants or foreign industry. He will fight to keep American business first and change the pattern of government working against small business rather than working with them to re-energize our economy.
As the descendant of a struggling chicken farmer, Captain Lansden understands the many struggles rural farmers face. He will work to make sure farmers don’t get overlooked or bypassed by our government. He will stand to support them in feeding our Nation without getting undercut by greedy big businesses promoting synthetic food and GMO-farming. [33] |
” |
| —Robert Lansden’s campaign website (2021)[38] | ||
Candidate Connections
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Robert Lansden completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lansden's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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God
- Family
- Country
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Jaycee Magnuson
Campaign website
Magnuson’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
I have always been a Conservative; both fiscally and socially and believe that hard work will always pay off. I am not a Politician; rather, a single, working class Mother, to two AMAZING Sons. I can relate to Americans and the struggles surrounding us, unlike these “Elites” in Washington, getting rich off our backs and not delivering what they were sent to do! I answered the call to run, because our beloved country is in trouble, and we need strong Leadership and backbones, to fight for Americans, and our country! Our Government needs a revamp and we need to put in term limits! If we keep electing the same type of “Officials” then we’re going to get the same results, which, has been disappointing and a waste of our tax dollars. There is so much that needs to be fixed, and I am ready to go to work, for the People of Louisiana, and America. [33] |
” |
| —Jaycee Magnuson’s campaign website (2021)[39] | ||
Candidate Connections
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jaycee Magnuson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Magnuson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Protecting and putting Americans first
- Stop the wasteful Government spending of Americans hard earned tax dollars, in the form of Foreign Aid.
- We've lost thousands of jobs in the Oil and Gas industry, over these ridiculous Executive Orders, and this is just the beginning
Education
I am hard-working and my actions will speak for themselves.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Horace Melton
Campaign website
Melton’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
I was asked as a guest speaker to bring a message on "Sanctity of Life Sunday". What a blessing being able to share my love of others and dedication to help others.
Water is essential for Life. But for far too long, Louisianans water supply has been plagued by Bacteria & Contamination.
For the past two decades, I have been working with at-risk youth teaching them primarily in an agrarian lifestyle. Such as supporting them as they have been active in 4-H. Watching someone help raise a new born animal, has been such a blessing. As they learn to care for something that is solely dependent upon them for there care and nutrition. Teaching them a good work-ethic as we spend the day in the field picking up square bales of hay, or planting a garden.
Laws & Policies need to be implemented in a thoughtful and well researched approach. We need direction that ensures our economic future. Not destroying entire industries.
I strongly support the second amendment rights of Americans. I also believe we need to support resources and training programs that educate the safe use and storage of guns.
Education of Americas sons & daughters has always been a priority of mine. For the past two decades, I have been able to do this both in and out of a classroom. The students that were under my care for two+ years, even though they came into my care on average two years behind in school not only completed their high school requirements, but went on to pursue higher educational training. In the education of my two biological children, my wife and I have used a combination of public schools along with home-school curriculum. Both our now in their Junior & Senior years in College.
We need policies that encourage all to improve their every day life. Policies that do not hinder &/or discourage the betterment of Americans. [33] |
” |
| —Horace Melton’s campaign website (2021)[40] | ||
Richard Pannell
Campaign website
Pannell’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
I am Richard Pannell and I am currently running to represent you in Congress. There is so much I want to address. However, I type 10 times slower than my mind and mouth work. I don’t have a team of people working for me. It is a shame that it takes $10,000,000 to win an office to represent your people. I think that’s one of the problems with our government. If it takes that much money, your voting for an actor or actress. But in all reality the people providing the funds are the ones actually in control. That’s special interest! Vote for the “Underdog”, the one struggling to get his or her word out. Vote for the the underdog! I’ll be the one disguised as a mild mannered shoe shine boy. Explained to the younger people what that means. But seriously, I need your help. As far as the out Police and Sheriffs, they are the backbone of this country. I will try to fund you more and get you more help. But, I need your help! Spread this message! And that goes for farmers business’s, truck drivers, plumbers, electricians, teachers, etc. Your jobs are harder than being a congressman! They forget where they come from. Remember I’m not backed by anyone. But I can assure you, I’ll have your back. I’m not a politician. I’m good at solving problems and not creating news ones. [33] |
” |
| —Richard Panell’s campaign Facebook group (2021)[41] | ||
Sancha Smith
Campaign website
In an interview with KNOE, Smith said
| “ |
"My platform is built on one key essential purpose to remind Americans that we are still one nation under god. That’s who we are. It’s the bedrock of our constitution. Our nation is great has been built by great people because we are one nation under god." "I believe that protecting the lives of the unborn is vital,” Smith said. “As a believer, I have scripture to lean on and that tells me my worth and my value, and that if every person created in his image and likeness, so from the womb to the tomb, and from the cradle to the grave, I am unapologetically pro-life." "Well, there’s the Social Security Fairness Act, and it’s to reconcile those that have earned their social security and has paid into it, and they retire, and they go to work in another industry, whether it be the private sector or another public office. And for some reason, we have laws that want to mitigate that and compromise their access to their full social security. So one of the first things I’d like to do in congress is reconcile that and to make sure that every single American that has paid into social security receives the full benefit of their social security. Them and their dependents. If they’re entitled to it. They’ve paid into it. They’ve earned it. It belongs to them, not the government, pay them what they’ve earned." [33] |
” |
| —KNOE interview with Sancha Smith (2021)[42] | ||
Errol Victor
Campaign website
Victor’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Reverend Victor is a champion of all reforms necessary to help ensure a fair and impartial administration of justice in America. His top 3 priorities in that regard are:
Reverend Victor is pushing for sweeping reforms of the U.S. criminal justice system. The overriding reform goals are to make it considerably easier and faster to vindicate those prosecuted, whether through U.S. state and/or federal courts, who are actually innocent, wrongfully convicted, and/or excessively punished via legislation such as habitual offender statutes and felony murder laws.
Reverend Victor proposes dramatic expansion of constitutionally sound judicial oversight in America. The overriding reform goal is to strengthen judicial oversight such that average Americans are adequately protected from deliberate violations of rights through organized abuses of the U.S. legal system facilitated by unchecked judicial misconduct. [33] |
” |
| —Errol Victor’s campaign website (2021)[43] | ||
Jim Davis
Campaign website
In an interview with KNOE, Davis said
| “ |
"My platform is to unite our country. Both of the parties have been fighting against each other. So we need to bring about unity in our country. So let’s move America forward. Together. Together we can." "The values that are very important to me, are equally important to everyone. Unity, more wages for teachers, teaching increased funding for salary and staff positions, and not only that, but in reference to more agricultural funding for farmers, and the reference to this COVID-19 pandemic...we need to bring about herd immunity as expeditiously as possible." "I believe Black lives matter because all lives matter. Not only that, but more increased funding for police to bring about more awareness in terms of training for police." [33] |
” |
| —KNOE interview with Jim Davis (2021)[44] | ||
M.V. Mendoza
Campaign website
Mendoza’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Make the 5th CD work for you again!
Dr. MV "Vinny" Mendoza's 5-Point Action Pledge:
a. Obtain over 50 million dollars worth of unused military War Readiness Material kept at stealth locations and use it to weatherize all public schools, recreation centers and shelters within the 5th CD. These resources are kept at stealth locations but Dr. Vinny Mendoza, knows how to demilitarize them and make them available to law enforcement and to local city and parish municipalities. He personally knows the Senior Advisor to President Biden who can request the approval for Department of Defense demilitarization for WRM resources to weatherize the 5th Congressional District. b. Build a hydroelectric power plant in the Mississippi River near St. Francisville, to produce over 3500 Mega Watts of Clean Energy. c. Build 2500 hundred Wind Turbines within the Mississippi River high velocity wind ares which will produce over 2500 Mega Watts of Clean Energy. d. Building 10,000 new Smart Organic Farms of America within the 5th Congressional District. CREATE OVER 25,000 CLEAN ENERGY PERMANENT NEW JOBS THAT PAY $15-$60 PER HOUR. e. Support all veterans
The above projects will provide over $50 Billion dollars in unused military resources to weatherize public schools, recreation centers and shelters at no cost to the state or local parishes; it will also create over 25,000 permanent new jobs, produce clean energy for over 5 million homes and businesses, reduce electric bills by 40%, over $10 billion in revenue annually to the state, reduce hunger, poverty and unemployment thus turning around the poorest district in Louisiana and the nation to the richest district within the United States.
a. Reduce income tax for 99% of Americans b. Increase income tax for top 1% c. Political contributions shall pay 50% tax d. 10% tax for non-profits e. And a $2800 political contribution limit for corporations and PACs same as people. TAKE DARK MONEY OUT OF POLITICS!
a. Provide you with covid-19 test when you need it or want it; b. Provide you covid-19 vaccine free of charge; c. Covid-19, medical treatment at no cost to you. d. Medicare and Medicaid available at age 60. e. How will medicare for all be paid?
|
” |
| —M.V. Mendoza’s campaign website (2021)[45] | ||
Primaries in Louisiana
Louisiana does not conduct typical primary elections. Instead, all candidates running for a local, state, or federal office appear on the same ballot in either October (in odd-numbered years) or November (in even-numbered years), regardless of their partisan affiliations. If a candidate wins a simple majority of all votes cast for the office (i.e., 50 percent, plus one vote), he or she wins the election outright. If no candidate meets that threshold, the top two finishers advance to a second election in either November (in odd-numbered years) or December (in even-numbered years), regardless of their partisan affiliations. In that election, the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes wins. Ballotpedia refers to Louisiana's electoral system as the Louisiana majority-vote system. It is also commonly referred to as a jungle primary. Because it is possible for a candidate to win election in the first round of voting, Louisiana's nominating contest is not a traditional primary.
- Note: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) signed HB17 into law by on Jan. 22, 2024, creating closed partisan primaries and primary runoffs for Congress, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Louisiana Public Service Commission and Louisiana Supreme Court beginning in 2026.
Pivot Counties
- See also: Pivot Counties by state
There are no Pivot Counties in Louisiana. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.
Louisiana's 5th Congressional District election history
The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2010.
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.
General election
General election for U.S. House Louisiana District 5
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Luke Letlow (R) | 62.0 | 49,183 |
 | Lance Harris (R) | 38.0 | 30,124 | |
| Total votes: 79,307 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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 5
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Luke Letlow (R) | 33.1 | 102,533 |
| ✔ | | Lance Harris (R) | 16.6 | 51,240 |
| Candy Christophe (D) | 16.4 | 50,812 | |
 | Martin Lemelle (D) | 10.4 | 32,186 | |
| Randall Scott Robinson (R) | 7.7 | 23,887 | ||
| Allen Guillory Sr. (R) | 7.3 | 22,496 | |
 | Matt Hasty (R) | 3.2 | 9,834 | |
 | Phillip Snowden (D) | 3.0 | 9,432 | |
| Jesse Lagarde (D) | 2.3 | 7,136 | ||
| Total votes: 309,556 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brody Pierrottie (D)
- John Robert Badger (Independent Conservative Democratic Party)
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 5
Incumbent Ralph Abraham won election outright against Jessee Carlton Fleenor, Billy Burkette, and Kyle Randol in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 5 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ralph Abraham (R) | 66.5 | 149,018 |
 | Jessee Carlton Fleenor (D) | 30.0 | 67,118 | |
 | Billy Burkette (Independent) | 2.1 | 4,799 | |
 | Kyle Randol (L) | 1.3 | 3,011 | |
| Total votes: 223,946 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
| Click [show] for previous cycle election results. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2016Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Ralph Abraham (R) defeated Billy Burkette (R) in the primary election on November 8, 2016. [46]
2014The 5th Congressional District of Louisiana held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Ralph Abraham (R) defeated Jamie Mayo (D) gained enough votes to participate in a general election. Abraham defeated Mayo in the general election on December 6, 2014.
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "GET ELECTION INFORMATION," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "VOTING ON ELECTION DAY," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑ The Hill, "Louisiana Rep.-elect hospitalized as a precaution for COVID-19 infection," December 19, 2020
- ↑ Candy Christophe's 2021 campaign website, "Meet Candy," accessed February 3, 2021
- ↑ Julia Letlow's 2021 campaign website, "Julia Letlow, Ph.D., Announces Candidacy for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District," January 19, 2021
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed February 3, 2021
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "Alexander, Rodney," accessed March 11, 2021
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Get Election Information," accessed March 18, 2021
- ↑ In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
- ↑ Twitter, "Dan Crenshaw on January 18, 2021," accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Facebook, "Julia Letlow on March 8, 2021," accessed March 8, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Ashley Hinson on January 22, 2021," accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Facebook, "Julia Letlow on March 13, 2021," accessed March 15, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Kevin McCarthy on January 14, 2021," accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Steve Scalise on January 14, 2021," accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Twitter, "Julia Letlow on March 17, 2021," accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Julia Letlow campaign website, "Vice President Mike Pence Endorses Julia Letlow for Congress," accessed March 15, 2021
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Julia Letlow campaign website, "President Donald J. Trump Endorses Julia Letlow for Congress," accessed March 15, 2021
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Facebook, "Julia Letlow on March 11, 2021," accessed March 15, 2021
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Twitter, "Democrats Work For America on February 17, 2021," accessed March 1, 2021
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Twitter, "Elise Stefanik on February 3, 2021," accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Twitter, "Louisiana Democrats on February 13, 2021," accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "Republican Party of Louisiana on February 1, 2021," accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Facebook, "Julia Letlow on March 9, 2021," accessed March 15, 2021
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Facebook, "Julia Letlow on March 5, 2021," accessed March 8, 2021
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Facebook, "NATPAC 1947 on March 10, 2021," accessed March 15, 2021
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Twitter, "RightNOW Women PAC on February 26, 2021," accessed March 1, 2021
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Twitter, "Nikki Haley on March 18, 2021," accessed March 18, 2021
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Twitter, "Susan B. Anthony List on March 2, 2021," accessed March 8, 2021
- ↑ Twitter, "VIEW PAC on January 22, 2021," accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Twitter, "United Rural Democrats on February 1, 2021," accessed March 15, 2021
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Twitter, "Winning for Women on February 10, 2021," accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ 33.00 33.01 33.02 33.03 33.04 33.05 33.06 33.07 33.08 33.09 33.10 33.11 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Candy Christophe’s campaign website, “Platform,” accessed February 18, 2021
- ↑ Julia Letlow’s campaign website, “Home,” accessed February 5, 2021
- ↑ Chad Conerly’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ Allen Guillory, Sr.’s Facebook page, “Allen Guillory, Sr. on December 31, 2020,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ Robert Lansden’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ Jaycee Magnuson’s campaign website, “About Me,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ Horace Melton’s campaign website, “What I Believe,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ Richard Panell’s campaign Facebook group, “Richard Pannell on February 13, 2021,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ KNOE, “Special Election Preview: Sancha Smith, 5th Congressional District candidate,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ Errol Victor’s campaign website, “Home,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ KALB, “Special Election Preview: Jim Davis, 5th Congressional District candidate,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ M.V. Mendoza’s campaign website, “Home,” accessed March 17, 2021
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate Inquiry," accessed July 25, 2016
