The three-day qualifying period begins today for the November 5th election. At the top of the ballot is the Presidential race and Louisiana voters will also choose their U-S Representative. There is an open congressional seat and Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is the favorite to win the newly drawn majority-minority sixth district.
“Looking at the race with Cleo Fields he’s very popular in the black community throughout Louisiana with his base which are black voters,” political analyst Bernie Pinsonat said. “So he’s the overwhelming favorite.”
Former state lawmaker Elbert Guillory of Opelousas, a Republican, and community social activist Quinten Anderson, a Democrat from Baton Rouge are also expected to run. All three candidates are black men.
“It’s an uphill battle against Cleo Fields who’s a legitimate power house, elected official of Louisiana. He’s got a base and he’s a proven winner as far as being able to win elections.”
Fields’ represented Louisiana’s 4th Congressional district from 1993 to 1996.
There’s also an open seat on the five-person Public Service Commission. Three Republicans have expressed interest in replacing the outgoing Craig Greene, Lafayette Senator Jean-Paul Coussan and two former lawmakers in the Baton Rouge area Barry Ivey and Scott McKnight.
“It was one of the seats that would launch you for governor. Its still considered a seat that will help you become a political well-known.”
There have been no announced Democrats for the open 2nd District PSC seat.
Qualifying runs through Friday afternoon.
