If Louisiana gains second Black Congressional district, here's who might run for the seat

As Louisiana moves closer to the possibility of adding a second majority Black congressional district, speculation about who might run for the seat also escalates.

Three Democrats have already emerged as potential leading candidates in what could be the population centers of a new district: Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers Jr., who finished second to U.S. Sen. John Kennedy in last year's Senate race; Baton Rouge state Sen. Cleo Fields, who served in Congress from 1992-96; and Monroe state Sen. Katrina Jackson, whose profile was elevated as the lawmaker who wrote Louisiana's abortion ban law in 2022.

Democratic state Sen. Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette said he would also consider the race if his senate district is included within the boundaries of a new majority Black district.

Two other prominent Democrats, Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome and former Baton Rouge state Rep. Ted James who now works in President Biden's administration, are also mentioned, though many believe they have their sights set on other offices.

Broome is widely expected to seek reelection next year, while James is often speculated to be a future Baton Rouge mayor's candidate. USA Today Network is seeking comment from both.

Chambers is the most up-front about his intentions, saying, "I absolutely will consider the race if a second Black district is created."

Fields and Jackson are treading lightly because they first have to win reelection to their current offices this fall.

"I don't want to speculate at this point because a second district has not yet been produced," Fields said.

"My first priority is running for reelection to the Senate," Jackson said. "If a second district is created I will give it serious consideration, but right now it's premature."

The possibility of a map creating new boundaries for Louisiana's six congressional districts grew after a surprise U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June overthrew Alabama's congressional map because it diluted Black voting power.

A lawsuit challenging Louisiana's map had been put on hold until after the court ruled on Alabama because of the cases' similarities.

Louisiana's Republican Legislature passed a new map in February 2022 that kept five of the state's six congressional districts with white majorities, then overrode Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' veto of the map, which prompted a lawsuit from civil rights groups.

U.S. Middle District Judge Shelly Dick later ruled that the map violated the Voting Rights Act and ordered lawmakers to draw new boundaries that increased Black voting power.

After lawmakers failed to pass a new map during a June 2022 Special Session, Dick said she would draw one herself and had been scheduled to identify new boundaries during a hearing before the Supreme Court put Louisiana's case on hold.

Last week Dick ordered a new hearing in the case for a new majority Black congressional district Oct. 3-5.

Those who argued for a second majority Black district in Louisiana noted the state's Black population equaled about one-third and that the number of seats should reflect that ratio.

One of the proposed maps for a second majority Black district would most alter the 5th Congressional District now represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow of Start. It would take in population centers Monroe and a significant portion of Baton Rouge.

Chambers, Fields and Jackson would all live within the boundaries of that map, though residency isn't a requirement to run for Congress.

"I would be pleased with any district that creates a second district no matter where it goes," Fields said. "I really think the judge should make the decision and not the Legislature."

"It's clear that we need a second district for fair representation, and I'm being encouraged by many constituents to run if that happens," Jackson said.

Chambers noted that he raised more than $1 million in his unsuccessful bid to upset Kennedy.

"We have the infrastructure in place now to raise money to compete," Chambers said. "The state certainly needs more minority representation, but also younger representation.

"In the Black community the struggle isn't between moderates and progressives; it's between those who are young with a vision and those who are older and trying to hang on to power," Chambers said.

More: Supreme Court ruling could void Louisiana congressional map without second Black district

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: If Louisiana gains Black Congressional district, here's who might run