Louisiana election to replace Congressman-elect Letlow expected to be held March 20

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards intends to call a special election for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District on March 20, with a runoff election scheduled for April 24, if necessary. The seat needs to be filled because of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s unexpected death from COVID-19 complications Tuesday.

The governor’s office said Edwards intends to schedule the general and runoff elections for Louisiana’s expected 2nd Congressional District vacancy on the same dates. U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, announced weeks ago that he was leaving the 2nd District seat to join President-elect Joe Biden’s administration.

Candidates for both congressional races will be expected to qualify to run on Jan. 20-22, according to Louisiana’s Secretary of State’s Office.

Louisiana already has municipal elections scheduled for March 20 and April 24. Holding the special elections on the same day as those that are already planned should save the state money, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

Read more: https://lailluminator.com/2020/12/30/louisiana-election-to-replace-congressman-elect-letlow-expected-to-be-held-march-20/