Posted by
Defend America on Monday, October 06, 2008 10:02:18 AM
Despite facing a 16-count indictment on racketeering and soliciting
bribes, Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) still has another political
lifeline.
The scandal-plagued congressman finished in first place in a
seven-candidate primary field, and will be facing television reporter
Helena Moreno in the November runoff. Jefferson finished with 25
percent of the vote, while Moreno tallied 20 percent. The next-closest
candidate, state Rep. Cedric Richmond, won 17 percent.
Race will likely play a prominent role in the runoff. Moreno, who is
white, will have to win over a substantial number of African-American
voters in the New Orleans-based district to prevail in November. About
64 percent of the district’s voters are African-American.
But the vast majority of voters voted against Jefferson in Saturday’s
primary, giving Moreno an opportunity to win over those disenchanted
with the congressman’s ethical problems.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/1008/Jefferson_with_another_political_lifeline.html