Jefferson’s challenger faces tough race, observers say

• By ALLEN M. JOHNSON JR.
• Advocate New Orleans bureau
• Published: Oct 7, 2008 - Page: 5B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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NEW ORLEANS — Indicted U.S. Rep. William Jefferson and Helena Moreno, a former local television anchorwoman, head to the Democratic Party runoff Nov. 4 with many politicos predicting an uphill struggle — for Moreno.

Jefferson, 61, a nine-term incumbent of the 2nd Congressional District and the first African-American congressman in Louisiana since Reconstruction, finished first in a field of seven candidates in Saturday’s primary.

He won a quarter of the votes cast despite a 16-count federal corruption indictment in Virginia, a lack of money, and with family members facing separate federal criminal indictments in New Orleans.

Moreno, a political newcomer and Hispanic, finished 5 percentage points behind the incumbent. But with a record high black voter turnout predicted for black presidential candidate Barack Obama, many analysts say Moreno has a hard road ahead.

A Democratic stronghold, the voter make-up of the 2d Congressional District is 70 percent black and 30 percent white and includes most of Orleans Parish and parts of Jefferson.

Cheron Brylski, a veteran campaign press secretary for two candidates who have tried to unseat the incumbent in as many years, says she cannot see Moreno winning.

 “If I was her I would save her money, run for council, state Senate or something else — but get out of this race. There’s not enough votes for her,” said Brylski, whose candidate, Troy “C” Carter, a former New Orleans legislator and City Council member, finished sixth.

In December 2006, Brylski represented state Rep. Karen Carter, who is black. Jefferson easily defeated her in a runoff, despite questions about $90,000 in marked money the FBI found in his freezer during raids of his homes and offices in August 2005, shortly before Hurricane Katrina struck.

Brylski said the challenge for Moreno is rooted in race and demographics.

Allan Katz, a veteran political consultant, worked in the primary for Jefferson Parish Councilman Byron Lee, one of five younger black male candidates with public service records — all left in the incumbent’s dust.

“Whites voted for race (Moreno) and older black voters voted out of loyalty to Bill (Jefferson),” Katz said.

With strong support from suburban Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Norman and other white parish officials, Lee carried his home parish but couldn’t crack into vote-rich New Orleans.

But Lance Hill, a professor at Tulane University, said he’s not so sure that Jefferson has the race “sewn up” because no one knows how many black voters have actually returned to the city.