Beverly Bruce (D)
Term limited in 2007
District Map

2002 Senate Race (Runoff)
Mary Landrieu (D) 5,775 (48%)
Suzy Terrell (R) 6,291 (52%)

2003 Governors Race (Runoff)
Kathleen Blanco (D) 5,166 (47%)
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 5,926 (53%)

2004 Presidential Race
George W. Bush (R) 10,561 (62%)
John Kerry (D) 6,388 (38%)
Others 105 (0%)

2004 Senate Race
David Vitter (R) 8,921 (56%)
Chris John (D) 3,265 (27%)
Others 2,630 (17%)

2006 Secretary of State Race
Jay Dardenne (R) 1,463 (23%)
Francis Heitmeier (D) 1,695 (26%)
Mike Francis (R) 2,233 (34%)
Mary Chehardy (R) 440 (7%)
Others 667 (10%)

2007 Governors Race
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 6,228 (51%)
Walter Boasso (D) 1,956 (16%)
John Georges (I) 1,169 (10%)
Foster Campbell (D) 2,648 (22%)
Others 177 (1%)

2007 Agriculture Commissioner Race
“Bob” Odom (D) 4,567 (40%)
Mike Strain (R) 4,217 (37%)
Wayne Carter (R) 1,905 (17%)
Don Johnson (R) 653 (6%)

House District 7 is very similar to District 1 in several ways: it is a mixture of suburbs and rural areas located in Northwest Louisiana, it generally throws its supports behind a Republican in contested statewide races, and it tends to support its incumbents by a large margin. In fact for decades, only two people have represented this district and the only contested race in recent memory was when there was an open seat in 1995.

The population of District 7 is a mixture of suburbs in southern Shreveport, and most of DeSoto Parish (all but three precincts). While 58% of the voters live in DeSoto Parish, there has been some out-growth in its northern fringes, particularly in Stonewall, mostly due to the recent construction of the I-49 access to Shreveport. President Bush received 62% of the vote in this district last year, including a 3 to 1 margin in Caddo Parish and 54% of the vote in DeSoto Parish. What we found most surprising was the positive support President Bush received in DeSoto Parish considering the parish is 37% African American.

In 1995, which was the last contested race in district 7, there was a significant split between the parishes of Caddo and DeSoto. Back in 1995, Desoto represented roughly the same amount of the district in 1995 as it does now. Berverly Bruce, who resides in Desoto, swept her home parish with 64% of the vote. With this wide margin she was able to be elected, despite receiving only 38% of the vote in Caddo parish (her Republican opponent, Tommy Armstrong, resided in Caddo Parish).

Term limits will force Rep. Bruce to retire this year. While the “urban/rural” split and the 28% African-American voter registration favors Democrats, it’s worth noticing that all candidates are from DeSoto Parish this time. There are two Republicans (Richie Burford and Dennis Freeman) and three Democrats (Kenny Ray Coxe, Hilda Rives, and John Russell) running for the seat. If a Republican can generate a big vote in Stonewall and the suburbs of Shreveport, he will win. This is the type of seat Republicans need to win if they wish to have a majority in the state house.