Louisiana Political News Service

LAPOLITCS
By John Maginnis
(excerpt)

Carter targeted in race

It doesn't take a poll to tell who is moving in the 2nd Congressional District race, as state Rep. Karen Carter is being attacked like a frontrunner, which she could become Tuesday. Her own campaign poll shows her tied with Congressman William Jefferson at 25%, followed by Troy Carter at 11%; state Sen. Derrick Shepherd, 9%; Joe Lavigne, 4%; Undecided, 20%. The 600-sample poll by Cornell Belcher of Washington was taken Oct. 24-25.

Indicative of her rise in the polls is a series of late negative TV ads and direct mail pieces aimed at her by three of her rivals: Jefferson, Shepherd and Lavigne.


TIMES PICAYUNE
By Rob Nelson
(excerpt)

Jeff politicos line up behind Shepherd, They say Rep. Jefferson ignores West Bank

Clearly cementing the Jefferson-Orleans divide in the 2nd Congressional District, a small army of Jefferson officials endorsed state Sen. Derrick Shepherd of Marrero on Tuesday, saying their parish has not only been ignored by U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, but has been absent from news media coverage and televised debates in the race.

"Pardon me if this sounds like a rallying cry for Jefferson Parish and the people of the west bank of New Orleans," said Jefferson Assessor Lawrence Chehardy, a Republican. "But the truth is, that is exactly what this is, because the west bank of Orleans and Jefferson Parish should not be ignored and should not be taken for granted."

Shepherd, a Democrat, is the only major candidate in the race from Jefferson Parish.