INCUMBENT: Jack Montoucet (Democrat)

DESCRIPTION: House District 42 is located in the heart of Acadiana, and includes both the southern portions of Acadia Parish (roughly everything south of I-10) and two precincts in Lafayette Parish immediately adjacent to Acadia Parish.

DISTRICT MAP:

District Map

RED/BLUE RATING (using 2008, 2012, and 2014 elections): 64% Republican

JMCEL’s SUMMARY: The town of Crowley, Louisiana is unique because, in the words of the Almanac of American Politics, “it seems to have produced more prominent politicians per capita than any other place in America.” It helped launch the career of former Governor Edwin Edwards, former Senator John Breaux, and former Congressman Chris John (who ran for Breaux’s seat in 2004 but lost to David Vitter). House District 42 includes Crowley and the rest of southern Acadia Parish, as well as two precincts in Lafayette Parish. Given that it includes most of the black population of Acadia Parish, this district has had an affinity for Democratic candidates longer than other districts in Acadiana have had. While it began to support Republicans in Presidential contests about a decade ago, it stayed loyal to Democrats in statewide races until the 2010 BP oil spill soured south Louisiana on national Democrats. Despite a Cajun Democrat (Charlie Melancon) running statewide that year, David Vitter received unambiguous 62-32% support from the district, then Mitt Romney carried the district 69-29%, and Bill Cassidy received 67% of the district vote last year. This political transition has not yet affected the political preferences of this House district, however, as the district has for years elected politically ambitious Democrats: Chris John (whose father once represented the seat) served here from 1988 to 1996 before running unsuccessfully for Lt Governor. He was succeeded by Democrat Gil Pinac, who served from 1996 until he was term limited out in 2008 (in his case, he ran unsuccessfully for a vacant state senate seat). In the open seat race to succeed Rep. Pinac, another Democrat (Jack Montoucet) defeated a Republican with 58% of the vote in 2007 and 63% of the vote in 2011. While he’s allowed to serve one more term, it’ll be interesting to see whether he will attempt to run for another office, and if Republicans will attempt to contest this seat, given the overwhelming Republican preference of district voters in recent statewide and national elections.