Cassidy wins 6th District over Cazayoux

• By SARAH CHACKO AND JORDAN BLUM
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Nov 5, 2008 - Page: 7A - UPDATED: 1:05 a.m.

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State Sen. Bill Cassidy ousted U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux on Tuesday night in the 6th U.S. Congressional District race.

Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, had 150,226 votes to Cazayoux’s 125,716 votes according to complete but unofficial results from all 520 precincts.

State Rep. Michael Jackson, No Party-Baton Rouge, trailed in third place with 36,133 votes.

The winner only has to get the most votes, not a 50 percent-plus-one majority.

In his concession speech, Cazayoux said, “I was lucky to serve at all.” He congratulated both Cassidy and Jackson.

“It’s a conservative district, and I’m a conservative,” Cassidy said.

The 6th District includes all of East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes and parts of Ascension, Iberville and Pointe Coupee parishes.

Jackson, who is black, lost to Cazayoux, D-New Roads, in a special primary election this spring to fill the seat vacated early by former longtime U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge.

Cassidy and Cazayoux are both white.

Jackson dropped his affiliation with the Democratic Party to challenge Cazayoux as an independent in Tuesday’s election. Since there was only one candidate from each party running in the fall election, there was no need for a primary.

Jackson dispelled criticism that his candidacy cost Cazayoux the race.

“They tried to take a little air out of our campaign by calling us the spoiler,” Jackson said of Cazayoux. “We’re not here to spoil anybody’s message. We’re here to discuss the issues, and I think that message was received.”

Jackson said he plans on keeping his No Party status. He said he thinks his move helps evolve politics in Louisiana, “that there are other ways of approaching races.”