6th District hopefuls boost funds for race

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate Washington bureau
• Published: Jul 17, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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WASHINGTON — Republican Party and Democratic Party contenders for Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District seat have gotten off to a robust start with campaign contributions while stocking their financial war chests, according to newly filed Federal Election Commission campaign finance reports released Wednesday.

U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux raised $280,000 compared with challenger, state Sen. Bill Cassidy, who stayed close behind collecting $212,000.

As he has done in his previous campaign finance reports, Cazayoux, D-New Roads, showed significant contributions from labor unions. His largest contribution of $15,000 came from the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers. Cazayoux had $271,475 available.

Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, relied on contributions from business owners and executives, traditional Republican supporters. He received $6,900 each from W. Martin Svendson and Mary Turner Svendson, who listed their occupation as real estate investments, and Bill and Anne Hise, petroleum engineers with Hise Co. Cassidy has $195,113 in the bank, according to reports filed for the period, April 1 through June 30.

Independent candidate, state Rep. Michael Jackson of Baton Rouge, announced his candidacy on Friday. Jackson, who lost the Democratic Party primary to Cazayoux in April, reported receiving $23,300 for the reporting period that ended June 30.

That figure was added to the $26,469 Jackson previously raised. Jackson spent $50,749 on his Democratic bid, depleting his campaign account.

Former state Rep. Woody Jenkins has announced he will not be running for the 6th Congressional District seat that became open in February when former longtime U.S. Rep. Richard Baker retired from Congress. Baker, R-Baton Rouge, became head of a national hedge fund group.

The real political donnybrook in the state, however, is occurring in Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District involving candidates hoping to succeed U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery, R-Shreveport. McCrery is not seeking a 10th two-year term in November.

Longtime Caddo Parish District Attorney Paul Carmouche, a Shreveport Democrat, raised $370,000, giving him $388,774 available when added to previous contributions. Fellow Democrat John Milkovich raised $27,611. Democrat Willie Banks  had $29,000 available.

Republican candidates reported large infusions from personal loans to their campaigns. Dr. John Fleming of Minden reported raising $367,498 for the period, which included a $250,000 loan to himself. Fleming has loaned his campaign $500,000 to date.

Fellow Republican and former Bossier City Chamber of Commerce president Jeff Thompson collected $327,990, with $200,322 available. Thompson lent his campaign $50,000. Republican trucking company owner Chris Gorman reported $197,553 for the period with $352,427 available. Gorman has loaned his campaign $400,000 so far.

Louisiana’s 7th Congressional District race has also gotten off to a solid fund-raising start. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, raised $332,058 leaving him with $669,519 available. State Sen. Don Cravins Jr., D-Lafayette, collected $107,072 despite announcing his candidacy less than a month ago.

In the 2nd Congressional District race, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson will face seven Democratic opponents in the September primary. Democratic state Rep. Cedric Richmond led the challengers raising $111,800 and giving him $193,904 in the bank.