6th District candidates raise funds fast

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate Washington bureau
• Published: Feb 27, 2008 - Page: 5B

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WASHINGTON — Despite having a month to officially campaign, candidates for the seat held by former U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge, have raised more than a half-million dollars, according to federal campaign finance reports.

State Rep. Don Cazayoux, D-New Roads, led the way among candidates, raising $257,875. Cazayoux, who joined the race early, on Jan. 8, gained support from labor unions that donated $30,000 to his campaign.

On the Republican side, former Baker aide Paul Sawyer, of Baton Rouge, raised the most among the four GOP candidates, collecting $112,513, including $10,800 from business political action committees.

The quick fundraising pace is a signal of how competitive the effort to succeed Baker is as the March 8 primaries approach.

“It’s coming at people so fast,” said Julie Vezinot, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Democratic Party. “It’s a quick turnaround and the candidates are really at it.”

Baker left Congress on Feb. 2 after 21 years to become the leader of a hedge fund association. Five Democrats and four Republicans in the primaries are hoping to succeed him.

If no one gets 50 percent of the vote in the March 8 party primaries, the two highest vote-getters will compete in the April 5 party runoffs. The general election for the seat will be held May 3 and also will include two independent candidates and one from another party. The candidate with the most votes in the general election will be the winner.

The GOP primary and April 5 runoff are closed elections in which only Republican voters can cast ballots. Democrats and independents can vote in the Democratic primary and April 5 runoff. The May 3 general election is an open election.

On the Democratic side, former Louisiana Recovery Authority Executive Director Andy Kopplin, of Baton Rouge, showed strong fundraising ability, receiving $126,338 in three weeks since starting his campaign. Kopplin, who has started running television ads, listed spending $25,120 on media. With other expenses, his campaign has $84,742 remaining.

State Rep. Michael Jackson, D-Baton Rouge, raised $19,915, including a $1,000 contribution from state Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge. Jackson has spent $15,710 mostly on billboards and Web site advertising.

Baton Rouge attorney Jason DeCuir, who was recently unsuccessful in a state Senate bid, raised $8,975.

On the Republican side, Laurinda Calongne reported raising the most money, $181,132. The Baton Rouge consulting company owner loaned her campaign $115,000.

Community newspaper editor and former Republican state Rep. Louis “Woody” Jenkins, of Baton Rouge, raised $80,325. Jenkins’ biggest contribution came from the Gun Owners of America, which gave him $4,500.