INCUMBENT: Mickey Guillory (Democrat)

DESCRIPTION: House District 41 is located in the heart of Acadiana, and includes the northern portions of Acadia Parish (roughly everything north of I-10), the westernmost precincts in Saint Landry Parish in and around Eunice, and the southern portion of Evangeline Parish along US Highway 190.

DISTRICT MAP:

District Map

RED/BLUE RATING (using 2008, 2012, and 2014 elections): 69% Republican

JMCEL’s SUMMARY: House District 41 has in general mirrored the trend of Acadiana towards the Republican Party in the last decade, although it curiously has experimented with GOP legislative representation before much of the region did. Back in 1995, when Republican Mike Foster was elected in a landslide over Democrat Cleo Fields in the runoff, his coattails arguably benefitted Republican Greg Fruge in the state House race, as Fruge won with 54%. Similarly, Foster’s landslide re-election in 1999 also provided some electoral lift to Rep. Fruge, who was re-elected with 58%. However, Rep. Fruge ran into tougher electoral territory in 2003, as “Acadiana’s candidate” was Democrat Kathleen Blanco, and Democrat Mickey Guillory defeated Fruge 58-42%. And despite GOP victories at the top of the ballot and in other “down ballot” races in 2007 and 2011, Rep. Guillory was unopposed both times. Since he is termed out this year, this should be an easy GOP pickup (Cassidy received 73% of the district vote last year), although Democrats have held on in Acadia Parish longer than they have in other parts of Acadiana.