Gary Beard (R)
Term limited in 2011
District Map

2002 Senate Race (Runoff)
Mary Landrieu (D) 4,279 (27%)
Suzy Terrell (R) 11,508 (73%)

2003 Governors Race (Runoff)
Kathleen Blanco (D) 3,941 (24%)
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 12,560 (76%)

2004 Presidential Race
George W. Bush (R) 17,701 (78%)
John Kerry (D) 4,858 (21%)
Others 165 (1%)

2004 Senate Race
David Vitter (R) 16,432 (74%)
Chris John (D) 3,373 (15%)
Others 2,522 (11%)

2006 Secretary of State Race
Jay Dardenne (R) 6,428 (74%)
Francis Heitmeier (D) 813 (9%)
Mike Francis (R) 1,112 (13%)
Mary Chehardy (R) 149 (2%)
Others 189 (2%)

2007 Governors Race
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 11,841 (76%)
Walter Boasso (D) 1,283 (8%)
John Georges (I) 1,436 (9%)
Foster Campbell (D) 932 (6%)
Others 90 (1%)

2007 Agriculture Commissioner Race
“Bob” Odom (D) 2,868 (19%)
Mike Strain (R) 8,516 (57%)
Wayne Carter (R) 2,944 (20%)
Don Johnson (R) 701 (5%)

District 69 is located in Baton Rouge and includes some of its more affluent neighborhoods. Its elongated shape originates in the Old Goodwood section of town, travels down Jefferson Highway to include a mixture of new and older neighborhoods on either side of the road. After it reaches Airline Highway, it continues down Tiger Bend to include Parkview Oaks, Hickory Ridge, Shenandoah, and White Oak Landing. Much of this area was developed in the 1980s and 1990s, although there is still some growth still occurring here – its number of registered voters increased nearly 5% in the last few years. This rate of growth is faster than the statewide average but is not one of the fastest growth rates in the state any more, as the Baton Rouge metropolitan area’s newest growth is now in Livingston and Ascension parishes.

Like House District 5 up in Shreveport, District 69 had the distinction of being one of a handful (and one of the first) state House districts to elect a Republican. And its 85% support for Ronald Reagan in 1984 was one of the highest percentages in the state. Since then, there has been a small amount of racial change here, as the district now has an 8% African-American population (up from 6% in 2003). Additionally, some of the conservatives who populated the area in years past have either moved further out or have left Baton Rouge altogether. Nevertheless, this is still a pretty Republican district. Suzy Terrell, Bobby Jindal, George Bush, and David Vitter have all received support here in the 73-78% range, which consistently places the district in the 8 most Republican house districts.

The district’s consistent Republican representation in the state House has been the situation ever since Republican Clark Gaudin was elected here in 1971. Though he held to a 58-42% victory in the runoff against a Democrat in 1987, he was usually re-elected with little fuss. When he retired in 1991, Republican Chuck McMains was elected in the runoff against fellow Republican Jim Talbot (who served on the School Board) by less than 200 votes. McMains was then re-elected in 1995 against a Democrat with 83% and was unopposed in 1999. When he resigned in 2001 to return to the private sector, Republican Gary Beard was elected in the runoff with 60% of the vote against Metrocouncilman David Boneno. Beard received 71% of the vote in 2003 against a Republican and an Independent.

Though Representative Beard is not term-limited until 2011, he and four others are challenging incumbent Democratic Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. Four Republican newcomers are seeking the seat: retired Entergy spokesperson Bill Benedetto, remodeling contractor Erich Ponti, businessman Bob Thibodeaux, and EPA liaison Brian McNabb. None have served in elected office before, although McNabb has worked in a series of political jobs.