2021 Louisiana's 5th congressional district special election

The 2021 Louisiana's 5th congressional district special election was held on March 20, 2021. It was triggered by the death of Republican congressman-elect Luke Letlow on December 29, 2020, who died from a heart attack while being treated for COVID-19.

When congressional seats in Louisiana become vacant, the Governor may call a special election at any time. The special election to fill Louisiana's 5th congressional district took place on March 20, 2021, as stated by Governor John Bel Edwards's office. Luke Letlow's widow, Julia Letlow, won the election with more than 64 percent of the vote.

It was one of two special elections to the House of Representatives held in Louisiana, along with the election to the 2nd district, which was held on the same day.

Background Congressional district

Louisiana's 5th congressional district includes all or part of Avoyelles, Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Franklin, Jackson, La Salle Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Rapides, Richland, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Washington, West Carroll, West Feliciana, and Winn parishes. Traditionally conservative, the district has been considered a safe seat for Republicans since Rodney Alexander changed his party affiliation in 2004. Although the Democratic Party had an enrollment advantage of 26,719 at the time of the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump won over 64 percent of the district's vote.

2020 election and Letlow's death

In February 2020, Ralph Abraham, who had been serving as the district's U.S. Representative since 2015, announced that he would not run for re-election. Abraham's former chief of staff, Luke Letlow, announced his candidacy in the congressional election shortly thereafter, with Abraham publicly endorsing him. Letlow was an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, and he publicly praised his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the jungle primary on November 3, Letlow won the most votes, but he was unable to secure a majority, triggering a runoff election against runner-up Lance Harris. Letlow defeated Harris in the runoff election on December 5, with 62 percent of the vote. Shortly after his victory in the runoff, Letlow tested positive for COVID-19, and he was hospitalized the following day. Letlow's condition worsened, and he was moved to the intensive care unit where he died days later on December 29, less than a week before he was scheduled to be sworn into office.

Candidates Democratic Party Declared Sandra "Candy" Christophe, social worker and candidate for this seat in 2020

Withdrawn Jessica Honsinger Hollister, actress

Republican Party

Declared Chad Conerly, finance professional Allen Guillory, candidate for this seat in 2020https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=199932398486245&id=107722267707259 Robert Lansden, attorney Julia Letlow, administrative executive assistant at University of Louisiana at Monroe and widow of U.S. representative-elect Luke Letlow Jaycee Magnuson Horace Melton III Richard H. Pannell Sancha Smith, political organizer Errol Victor Sr., pastor

Declined Ralph Abraham, former U.S. Representative and candidate for Governor of Louisiana in 2019 Stewart Cathey, state senator (endorsed Julia Letlow) Michael Echols, state representative Lance Harris, state representative and candidate for this seat in 2020 Mike Johnson, state representative Scotty Robinson, Ouachita Parish Police Juror and candidate for this seat in 2020

No party affiliation

Declared Jim Davis M. V. "Vinny" Mendoza, perennial candidate

Endorsements

Jungle primary

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report March 19, 2021 Inside Elections March 19, 2021 Sabato's Crystal Ball March 18, 2021

Results

By parish ParishJulia LetlowRepublicanSandra ChristopheDemocraticChad ConerlyRepublicanVarious candidatesOther partiesMarginTotal votes#%#%#%#%#% Avoyelles 3,053 63.7 1,189 24.8 430 9.0 123 2.51,86438.9 4,795 Caldwell 1,426 83.0 204 11.9 57 3.3 31 1.81,22271.1 1,718 Catahoula 1,197 67.0 489 27.4 72 4.0 28 1.670839.6 1,786 Concordia 1,797 68.5 715 27.3 78 3.0 33 1.31,08241.3 2,623 East Carroll 483 48.9 469 47.5 21 2.1 15 1.5141.4 988 East Feliciana 682 45.0 696 45.9 98 6.5 41 2.6–140.9 1,517 Franklin 2,681 79.7 509 15.1 130 3.9 40 1.32,17264.6 3,363 Grant 2,346 78.8 328 11.0 199 6.7 106 3.52,01867.8 2,979 Jackson 1,900 70.2 678 25.1 79 2.9 48 1.81,22245.1 2,705 La Salle 2,189 86.9 157 6.2 119 4.7 55 2.22,03280.7 2,520 Lincoln 4,515 67.0 1,968 29.2 131 1.9 128 1.92,54737.8 6,742 Madison 722 47.9 666 44.2 57 3.8 62 4.1563.7 1,507 Morehouse 2,442 55.5 1,711 38.9 92 2.1 158 3.573116.6 4,403 Ouachita 14,821 67.2 6,174 28.0 607 2.8 442 2.08,64739.2 22,044 Rapides 10,373 62.3 5,086 30.5 739 4.4 463 2.85,28731.8 16,661 Richland 3,310 77.6 826 19.4 84 2.0 48 1.02,48458.2 4,268 St. Helena 220 43.9 140 27.9 134 26.7 7 1.56016.0 501 St. Landry 3,316 54.1 2,169 35.4 267 4.4 381 6.11,14718.7 6,133 Tangipahoa 2,147 48.4 1,019 23.0 1,102 24.9 166 3.71,04523.5 4,434 Tensas 532 53.4 417 41.9 25 2.5 22 2.511511.5 996 Washington 3,092 58.1 1,576 29.6 532 10.0 126 2.31,51628.5 5,326 West Carroll 1,197 75.5 155 9.8 205 12.9 28 1.899262.6 1,585 West Feliciana 998 58.3 533 31.1 132 7.7 49 2.946527.2 1,712 Winn 1,764 76.4 381 16.5 107 4.6 58 2.51,38359.9 2,310Total67,20364.86%28,25527.27%5,4975.31%2,6582.56%38,94837.59%103,616

See also List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives

References

External links Official campaign websites Sandra "Candy" Christophe (D) for Congress Chad Conerly (R) for Congress Robert Lansden (R) for Congress Julia Letlow (R) for Congress Jaycee Magnuson (R) for Congress M. V. "Vinny" Mendoza (I) for Congress Sancha Smith (R) for Congress Errol Victor Sr. (R) for Congress