INCUMBENT: Charles “Bubba” Chaney (Republican)

DESCRIPTION: House District 19 is in northeast Louisiana and contains all of Richland and West Carroll Parishes, as well as portions of East Carroll, Madison, Morehouse, and Ouachita Parishes.

DISTRICT MAP:

District Map

RED/BLUE RATING (using 2008, 2012, and 2014 elections): 67% Republican

JMCEL’s SUMMARY: House District 19 historically has been Republican seat in contested statewide and Presidential races, while re-electing Democratic legislators with little incident. In fact, its last legislator was Francis Thompson, who represented the district for 32 years before term limits forced him to retire – he then ran for an open black majority state senate seat and won. In the open seat race to succeed him in 2007, Democrat “Bubba” Chaney was easily elected in the primary with 72%. He was one of several legisaltors who switched parties after the 2010 elections, and was unopposed for re-election in 2011. Rep. Chaney is allowed to seek one more term, and should be in good electoral shape, as this district has given Mitt Romney and Bill Cassidy 68%. However, the 29% black voter registration in this rural district provides the base for a Democratic challenger, and he has not yet been challenged as a Republican.