Via FoxNews

Indicted U.S. Rep. William Jefferson had a quarter of voters on his side as he overcame scandal to come in first in Louisiana’s Democratic primary.

Now, as he faces a runoff against a former television journalist, Jefferson also has demographics and history on his side.

First, the history. Jefferson, Louisiana’s first black congressman since Reconstruction, has won the New Orleans-based 2nd Congressional District seat nine times.

He proved his political resiliency two years ago, winning easy re-election over state Rep. Karen Carter Peterson, a young, up-and-coming black politician. The victory came even as late-night TV comics made him the butt of their jokes after federal agents said they found $90,000 in alleged bribe money hidden in his freezer.

Jefferson has since been stripped of an important committee post by the Democratic leadership in Congress and a Virginia federal grand jury indicted him on corruption charges. He faces a December trial on charges that he took bribes, laundered money and misused his congressional office for business dealings in Africa.

But he presented himself to voters as still having clout in Washington.

And at least 25 percent bought it: he finished atop a field of seven in Saturday’s party primary.

He also has demographics on his side. Sixty-two percent of the registered voters in the 2nd District are black. Jefferson’s runoff opponent, political newcomer and former television reporter Helena Moreno, was the only white candidate in the race.

In other Louisiana state news,

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U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander proved too much for his unknown Republican challenger, Andrew Clack, and will serve a fourth term in Congress. He received 90% of the vote.

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Minden physician John Fleming and Shreveport trucking executive and the Partisan Report’s endorsed candidate, Chris Gorman, will both face each other in the Republican primary. Fleming edged out Gorman 35% to 34% and Bossier City lawyer Jeff Thompson was eliminated with 31% of the vote. The winner will succeed popular “Gentlemen” Jim McCrery.

On the Democratic side a surprising contest has emerged between Former Caddo Parish District Attorney Paul Carmouche and Willie Banks, a retired army colonel from Vernon Parish, in a runoff race in November. Carmouche led the four-man race with 48%. Banks came in second with 23%.

KSLA News

Louisiana’s change back to a party primary system for federal elections was so the state could send its senators and representatives to Washington at the same time as the rest of the nation. Statewide damage from Hurricane Gustav forced Secretary of State Jay Dardenne to postpone the original party primary date of September 6. November 4 will now hold party primary runoffs instead of a final, decisive election. The general congressional election for all candidates is now set for December 6. That means the winners of the 4th Congressional District and the 2nd Congressional District in south Louisiana, which is in a similar situation, will probably be the last two representatives sent to Washington.