INCUMBENT: H. Bernard LeBas (Democrat)

DESCRIPTION: House District 38 is located in Acadiana and includes parts of two parishes: all of Evangeline Parish except for its southernmost precincts, as well as a portion of St Landry Parish to the east of Opelousas along US Highway 190.

DISTRICT MAP:

District Map

RED/BLUE RATING (using 2008, 2012, and 2014 elections): 60% Republican

JMCEL’s SUMMARY: House District 38 is a rural district that was once Democratic up and down the ballot, although by 2004, the district was voting solidly Republican in Presidential races. In statewide races, Republican dominance didn’t occur until 2010, when David Vitter carried the district 58-34%, followed by Bill Cassidy’s 62-38% win four years later. At the legislative level, Democrats have long dominated here, although the Republican tide finally became apparent in 2011: Democrat Bernard Lebas was elected unopposed in 2007 when its former representative (Eric Lafleur) was elected to the state senate in 2007. In 2011, however, he was opposed by two Republicans, and he was only able to eke out a 52% re-election in the first primary (59% in Evangeline, but only 32% in St Landry). Rep. LeBas is allowed to seek one more term, but given the continuing Republican trend in the district (as well as his comeptitive re-election race in 2011), he can expect Republican competition this year.