Redistricting Process: Louisiana’s state legislature controls redistricting, according to Article III, Section 6 of the Louisiana Constitution. Redistricting legislation is considered by the Governmental Affairs committee in each house of the legislature. The state constitution designates the state supreme court as a back-up if the legislature fails to pass a redistricting plan. Should the legislature pass a plan, it is subject to the governor’s veto.
Governor: Republican Bobby Jindal
Legislature: Republicans control both chambers.
Number of Congressional Seats in 2011: 6 (-1 since 2010)
2011 Ideal District Population: 647,625
Link to Louisiana House of Representatives Redistricting Committee
Current District by District Politics and Demographics
1st District- Republican Steve Scalise
2010 Congressional Results: Scalise 78%
2008 Congressional Results: Scalise 66%
2006 Congressional Results: Bobby Jindal (R) 88%
2004 Congressional Results: Jindal 78%
2008 Presidential Results: McCain 72% Obama 26%
2004 Presidential Results: Bush 71% Kerry 28%
District Population: 686,961
Over/Under Populated by: 39,336 (Louisiana is losing a seat)
White Population: 501,319
African American Population: 108,208
Hispanic Population: 52,312
See more demographic information from the 2010 Census for the 1st District.*
2nd District– Democrat Cedric Richmond
2010 Congressional Results: Richmond 65%
2008 Congressional Results: Anh Cao (R) 49.5%
2006 Congressional Results: William Jefferson (D) 57%
2004 Congressional Results: Jefferson 79%
2008 Presidential Results: McCain 23% Obama 75%
2004 Presidential Results: Bush 24% Kerry 75%
District Population: 493,352
Over/Under Populated by: 154,273 (Louisiana is losing a seat)
White Population: 143,591
African American Population: 287,077
Hispanic Population: 36,060
See more demographic information from the 2010 Census for the 2nd District.
3rd District- Republican Jeff Landry
2010 Congressional Results: Landry 64%
2008 Congressional Results: Charlie Melancon (D) 100%
2006 Congressional Results: Melancon 55%
2004 Congressional Results: Melancon 50%
2008 Presidential Results: McCain 61% Obama 37%
2004 Presidential Results: Bush 58% Kerry 41%
District Population: 637,371
Over/Under Populated by: 10,254 (Louisiana is losing a seat)
White Population: 408,478
African American Population: 173,761
Hispanic Population: 26,011
See more demographic information from the 2010 Census for the 3rd District.
4th District- Republican John Fleming
2010 Congressional Results: Fleming 62%
2008 Congressional Results: Fleming 48%
2006 Congressional Results: Jim McCrery (R) 57%
2004 Congressional Results: McCrery (Unopposed)
2008 Presidential Results: McCain 59% Obama 40%
2004 Presidential Results: Bush 59% Kerry 40%
District Population: 667,109
Over/Under Populated by: 19,484 (Louisiana is losing a seat)
White Population: 395,977
African American Population: 225,056
Hispanic Population: 22,424
See more demographic information from the 2010 Census for the 4th District.
5th District- Republican Rodney Alexander
2010 Congressional Results: Alexander 79%
2008 Congressional Results: Alexander 100%
2006 Congressional Results: Alexander 68%
2004 Congressional Results: Alexander 59%
2008 Presidential Results: McCain 62% Obama 37%
2004 Presidential Results: Bush 62% Kerry 37%
District Population: 644,296
Over/Under Populated by: 3,329 (Louisiana is losing a seat)
White Population: 393,790
African American Population: 223,215
Hispanic Population: 12,444
See more demographic information from the 2010 Census for the 5th District.
6th District- Republican Bill Cassidy
2010 Congressional Results: Cassidy 66%
2008 Congressional Results: Cassidy 48%
2006 Congressional Results: Richard Baker (R) 83%
2004 Congressional Results: Baker 72%
2008 Presidential Results: McCain 57% Obama 41%
2004 Presidential Results: Bush 59% Kerry 40%
District Population: 727,498
Over/Under Populated by: 79,873 (Louisiana is losing a seat)
White Population: 425,067
African American Population: 253,655
Hispanic Population: 24,697
See more demographic information from the 2010 Census for the 6th District.
7th District- Republican Charles Boustany
2010 Congressional Results: Boustany 100%
2008 Congressional Results: Boustany 62%
2006 Congressional Results: Boustany 71%
2004 Congressional Results: Boustany 55%
2008 Presidential Results: McCain 63% Obama 35%
2004 Presidential Results: Bush 60% Kerry 39%
District Population: 676,785
Over/Under Populated by: 29,160 (Louisiana is losing a seat)
White Population: 466,662
African American Population: 171,448
Hispanic Population: 18,612
See more demographic information from the 2010 Census for the 7th District.
*In some browsers, the link to the 2010 Census page may link to a table of demographics for several states as opposed to the districts for the specific state. If this occurs, click the “Back to Search” link at the top of the page and then click on the arrow next to “Geographies” in the left column. Select “All Congressional Districts within Louisiana” and then close the box. Click on the link for “Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age and Housing Occupancy: 2010” and the correct table should appear.
Redistricting Process taken from Rose Institute study “Redistricting in America.”