"In this era of hurricanes and COVID-19 we need someone who can get things done now. Letlow was leading a field of nine in Tuesday’s election. Harris received 30,124 or 38% of the votes cast, according to complete but unofficial returns from the Secretary of State's Office. To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs. Letlow finished first among a field of nine in Tuesday's primary election with 33%, while Harris edged Alexandria Democrat Sandra "Candy" Christophe by fewer than 500 votes to make the runoff with 17%. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. Letlow’s ad also says Harris helped pass “the largest tax hike in Louisiana history.”. RUSTON — Little on the surface distinguishes the two candidates vying for the last undecided race in the U.S. House of Representatives – the r…. Election Day: Luke Letlow, Lance Harris emerge in all-Republican runoff for 5th Congressional District "I think the only path my opponent believes exists is … Republicans Lance Harris and Luke Letlow stuck to their campaign themes in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District race as the two sparred during the only TV debate scheduled before the Dec. 5 runoff election. John Bel Edwards to close the budget gap that Edwards inherited from Jindal. Election Day: Luke Letlow, Lance Harris emerge in all-Republican runoff for 5th Congressional District, "I think the only path my opponent believes exists is to go negative," said Letlow, 40, who had been Abraham's chief of staff and has the congressman's backing in the race. I'll absolutely defend myself if I'm attacked.". Luke Letlow, who is from Richland Parish, outside of Monroe, led the Nov. 3 primary with 33% to 17% for state Rep. Lance Harris of Alexandria. Letlow defeated state Rep. Lance Harris (R-Alexandria), 62-38 percent, winning all but one of the district’s 24 parishes. Harris said he doesn't consider highlighting differences as negative campaigning. One of them will replaced Rep. Ralph Abraham, who … State Rep. Lance Harris, of Alexandria, and Abraham chief of staff Luke Letlow, from the small town of Start in Richland Parish, are competing for the job representing the sprawling district across northeast and central Louisiana. Republican insider Luke Letlow will be the next congressman to represent Northeastern and Central Louisiana in the state’s 5th congressional district. Louisiana's 5th Congressional District runoff is a Republican-vs-Republican election, where the candidates for the seat being vacated by GOP i…. Sharon Weston Broome won another four years as East Baton Rouge Parish's mayor-president Saturday, defeating former State Rep. Steve Carter in…. State Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria (Photo: Courtesy photo). Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in. Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about, Luke Letlow and Lance Harris are running to replace popular Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham, who didn't seek reelection. Letlow lives in Start, east of Monroe, which along with Alexandria is one of the district’s two urban centers. Letlow, 40, touts his experience working in … In addition, Letlow is ahead of the pack on social media, with 4,900 followers on Facebook an another 1,900 on Twitter. Luke Letlow took just over 33 percent of the vote in his first round last fall, then trounced Republican State Representative Lance Harris 62 percent to 38 percent in the runoff in December. Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. "I can go to work on Day 1," Letlow said. Luke Letlow, R-Start, is pictured here on July 22, 2020 after qualifying for the Louisiana 5th Congressional District race. Republican state Rep. Lance Harris, Luke J. Letlow’s opponent in the December runoff, opted not to run again. Letlow hit back a day later against Harris, accusing him of being a career politician, although Harris has served only nine years in his part-time job in the state House. Letlow … Letlow, 40, will represent a mostly rural district that encompasses 24 parishes and extends from Bastrop in northeast Louisiana through Bunkie, south of Alexandria, to Opelousas, north of Lafayette, east past St. Francisville over to Bogalusa in the Florida Parishes. "I'm not going to let anyone distort my record. Luke Letlow (R) and Lance Harris (R) will head to a runoff election on December 5. The two Republicans vying to replace U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham in the 5th U.S. Congressional District have launched attack ads against each othe…. Updated Jan. 26, 2021. Luke Letlow (R) defeated Lance Harris (R) in the general election for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District on Dec. 5. In an interview three days before the election, Letlow said his priorities will be helping create jobs and extending fast internet service throughout the district. The runoff election gave voters the choice between two Republican candidates who differed little on the issues but who differed greatly in style. All rights reserved. Letlow received 33% of votes, while Harris received 17% of votes in the November 3rd election. "There are stark difference in our life and work experiences. Lance Harris (left) and Luke Letlow (right). See full results from the Dec. 5 runoff between Republicans Luke Letlow and Lance Harris. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Republicans Luke Letlow and Lance Harris are trying to distinguish themselves from each other as they head into a runoff election for Louisiana’s 5th congressional district Dec. 5. Luke Letlow, who served as the top aide to outgoing U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, easily won the election Saturday to replace Abraham to represent the sprawling 5th Congressional District. 100% reported. Letlow has largely spent his career in politics, but he did work in the private sector before running Abraham's campaign in 2014. There was a problem saving your notification. Republicans Luke Letlow and Lance Harris will have Louisiana's political stage almost to themselves as they sprint toward a Dec. 5 runoff election for 5th Congressional District seat in what will be the state's highest-profile race on the ballot. Letlow knows the district well having served as Abraham’s chief of staff from the congressman’s 2014 election until Letlow resigned in March to run for the seat. Luke Letlow Vs Lance Harris Lance Harris, a fellow Republican was one of the candidates who ran in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 5 on November 3, 2020. You do not need a Facebook profile to participate. "He's never worked as anything but a political appointee," said Harris, who operates convenience stores, a truck stop and other business ventures. A member of each campaign privately conceded as much Wednesday. You will need to register before adding a comment. Christophe placed third with 16.4% of the vote. Only 15% of voters turned out in the election, the last to be held in the country thanks to Louisiana’s unique election system in which the November general election served as the primary for congressional races. Mar. Letlow defeated state Rep. Lance Harris (R-Alexandria), 62-38 percent, winning all but one of the district’s 24 parishes. Nov 4, 2020 12:18 AM The fifth Congressional District race is headed to a run-off featuring two Republicans, former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff Luke Letlow and Alexandria State Representative Lance Harris. At total of 79,309 voters participated in the runoff election, a 15 percent turnout of the district’s 528,278 registered voters.