INCUMBENT: “Dee” Richard (Independent)

DESCRIPTION: House District 55 is located in northern Lafourche Parish, and is centered on Thibodaux (home of Nicholls State University). The district also takes in territory along LA 1 all the way down to US Highway 90.

DISTRICT MAP:

District Map

RED/BLUE RATING (using 2008, 2012, and 2014 elections): 62% Republican

JMCEL’s SUMMARY: While historically Lafourche Parish has been a solidly Democratic Parish (especially if Edwin Edwards and John Breaux were on the ballot), northern Lafourche Parish was always (relatively speaking) the more Republican part of the parish than the south Lafourche based District 54. In recent years, a combination of changing voter attitudes (which accelerated after the 2010 BP oil spill/drilling moratorium) and some suburban movement from Metro New Orleans has made this more of a Republican friendly district, as it has given David Vitter and Bill Cassidy 61% of the vote in recent elections, and Mitt Romney received 66% of the district vote as well. In legislative elections, this district has not yet become friendly territory for Republicans. After a Democrat represented the district from 1988 until he was term limited out in 2008, Independent “Dee” Richard  was elected in the runoff with 59% of the vote against a Democrat. In 2011, he received a Republican opponent, but easily defeated him with 78% of the vote. Rep. Richard is allowed to serve one more term. Assuming he is re-elected, it will be interesting to see whether a Democrat or a Republican succeeds him.