INCUMBENT: Marcus Hunter (Democrat)

DESCRIPTION: House District 17 is located in northeast Louisiana and contains the black neighborhoods of Monroe (in Ouachita Parish) south of I-20. It also crosses the Ouachita River to take in portions of West Monroe.

DISTRICT MAP:

District Map

RED/BLUE RATING (using 2008, 2012, and 2014 elections): 76% Democratic

JMCEL’s SUMMARY: House District 17 for years was Monroe’s only black House district, although that changed in 2011 when a second black majority district was created between Monroe and Bastrop. Nevertheless, District 17 remains a heavily Democratic district, although the Democratic strength was slightly diluted when reapportionment resulted in some white majority precincts from West Monroe’s being added to the district. Historically, this district has had very stable representation, with its representatives only leaving because of term limits or to run for the state senate. The seat opened up again in 2011 when Democrat Rosalind Jones (daughter of CD Jones, who represented this district in the House from 1980 to 1992) vacated the seat. In the open seat race to replace her, Democrat Marcus Hunter was victorious in the runoff by only three votes. He is allowed to seek two more terms, and can likely expect a challenge, given the narrow margin by which he won this seat in 2011.