Richmond’s strong showing echoed in Uptown precincts

State Rep. Cedric Richmond’s dominance in Saturday’s four-way Democratic primary election was also on display in Uptown precincts, according to an analysis of results posted by the Secretary of State’s office. Not only did Richmond win each of the Uptown wards with more than 50 percent, he also took nearly every individual precinct. Among the results:

Richmond’s 61-percent victory district-wide over his closest competitor, state Rep. Juan LaFonta’s 21 percent, was similar to results in wards 10, 11, 12, 13 and 17, which all came within a point or two of the same margins. Only in wards 14 and 16, which run roughly between Jefferson and South Carrollton, did LaFonta pull closer to 30 percent and hold Richmond to the low 50s. Out of nearly 100 precincts that vote in these wards, Richmond lost only four to LaFonta: Ward 11’s precinct 8, Ward 12’s precinct 6, Ward 14’s precinct 17 and Ward 16’s precinct 5.

National Democrats line up for Richmond

It’s a long-established storyline of the 2010 Congressional elections that national Democrats see U.S. Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao as one of the most vulnerable Republican seats in Congress, and last week they chose state Rep. Cedric Richmond as their candidate to do so. On Friday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Richmond’s selection into the “Red to Blue” program, which highlights the challengers they believe have the best chances of winning so that Democratic donors around the country can channel their donations into competitive races. The committee noted Richmond’s “strong early fundraising” in their announcement. “Cedric Richmond has come out of the gate strong and built a lot of early excitement for his campaign to put this seat in the hands of someone who reflects this district and supports President Obama,” committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen said in the announcement. “Red to Blue will give him the financial and structural edge he needs to remain on the road to victory in November and ensure the people of this New Orleans based district are represented by someone who shares their values.”

Cao’s challengers keep pace in spending, lag in fundraising

The two state legislators vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao both dug into their war chests in April, May and June to keep pace with the incumbent on campaign spending, according to Federal Election Commission reports filed this week. State Rep. Cedric Richmond actually outspent the Congressman by about $20,000, doling out $113,293 to Cao’s $91,444 in expenditures. State Rep. Juan LaFonta was right behind Cao with $90,672 in spending. Cao, however, was the only one of the three candidates to raise more than he spent and grow his war chest in the second quarter, receiving $139,304 to finish with $359,106 in the bank. Richmond raised $84,695 to finish with $250,222, and LaFonta raised $66,809, dropping his campaign account to $30,407 heading into July and the Aug.

Cao posts second-quarter fundraising

U.S. Rep. Ahn “Joseph” Cao raised $139,304 in April, May and June, spent $91,444 and has $359,106 remaining in his war chest for the Nov. 2 general election, according to campaign-finance reports filed Thursday. None of Cao’s four Democratic challengers or three independents have filed their second-quarter reports yet, though the first quarter reports showed state Rep. Cedric Richmond on almost even footing with Cao at the end of March. Cao’s top Uptown contributors:

Richard Colton Jr.,    $3,086
Dr. Elizabeth S. French,   $2,400
David Darragh, Reilly Foods,  $2,000
Matthew S. French, physician,  $1,000
Roland J. French, retired physician, $1,000
Frank Walk, Liskow & Lewis,  $1,000
William Goldring, Magnolia Marketing,  $500
Dr. and Mr Gregory Guerra, dentist, $500
Rose Lebreton, Steeg Law,  $250
Thomas B. Lemann,   $250
William Murphy, Canal Barge,  $250

Cao also  spent $2,508 on campaign materials with Laredo Printing on Magazine Street.

Republican challenger withdraws, leaving Cao unopposed until after primary

The lone Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao has withdrawn from the Aug. 28 primary, leaving the incumbent with no opposition until he meets his Democratic opponent and three independents in the Nov. 2 general election, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office. Norman Paul Billiot of Marrero withdrew from the race Monday, the first business day after he filed the previous Friday, telling Ed Anderson of the Times-Picayune that he lacks the money to run and now supports Cao.

Richmond's war chest approaches Cao's (updated)

While U.S. Rep. Ahn “Joseph” Cao still holds a slight fundraising lead in his bid for a second term, state Rep. Cedric Richmond has nearly as much to spend as Cao in this year's race for the New Orleans-based seat in Congress. Uptown donors have contributed more than $25,000 to the Congressional race since 2009, campaign finance records show. Richmond must first face colleague state Rep. Juan LaFonta in the Aug. 28 Democratic primary. The winner faces Cao on Nov.

Richmond’s war chest approaches Cao’s (updated)

While U.S. Rep. Ahn “Joseph” Cao still holds a slight fundraising lead in his bid for a second term, state Rep. Cedric Richmond has nearly as much to spend as Cao in this year's race for the New Orleans-based seat in Congress. Uptown donors have contributed more than $25,000 to the Congressional race since 2009, campaign finance records show. Richmond must first face colleague state Rep. Juan LaFonta in the Aug. 28 Democratic primary. The winner faces Cao on Nov.