INCUMBENT: Neil Abramson (Democrat)

DESCRIPTION: House District 98 is centered in Uptown New Orleans and contains roughly all territory between Claiborne Avenue and the Mississippi River northwest of Napoleon Avenue. Some of New Orleans’ most affluent neighborhoods are in this district, as well as two universities (Tulane and Loyola).

DISTRICT MAP:

District Map

RED/BLUE RATING (using 2008, 2012, and 2014 elections): 71% Democratic

JMCEL’s SUMMARY: While most of Louisiana has trended Republican over the last couple of decades, the political complexion of New Orleans has moved precisely in a different direction, as this is the one parish where liberal Democratic candidates can consistently get some traction. And despite the fact that some of New Orleans’ most affluent citizens live in this district, District 98 has generally given Republican candidates less than one third of the vote, with two exceptions: both Governor “Bobby” Jindal and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne have always run relatively well here for a Republican each time they were on the ballot. This district is also the epitome of demographic changes that have occurred in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, as a black Democrat was replaced by a white Democrat when the seat last opened up in 2007. In that race, Democrat Neil Abramson defeated a black opponent in the runoff with 74% by getting over 90% of the white vote and 32% of the black vote. Redistricting further strengthened his position removing some black precincts from the district and reducing its black voter registration from 49% to 27% (it is 24% today). And despite this district being theoretically more Republican friendly after reapportionment, Rep. Abramson was re-elected with 74% of the vote against a Republican, carrying every precinct. He is allowed to seek one more term, and is probably a safe bet for re-election in a district that gave Barack Obama 68% of the vote and Mary Landrieu 75%.