Carl Crane (R)
Term limited in 2007
District Map

2002 Senate Race (Runoff)
Mary Landrieu (D) 4,907 (35%)
Suzy Terrell (R) 9,112 (65%)

2003 Governors Race (Runoff)
Kathleen Blanco (D) 4,409 (29%)
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 10,635 (71%)

2004 Presidential Race
George W. Bush (R) 14,716 (71%)
John Kerry (D) 5,981 (28%)
Others 145 (1%)

2004 Senate Race
David Vitter (R) 13,488 (66%)
Chris John (D) 4,070 (20%)
Others 2,853 (14%)

2006 Secretary of State Race
Jay Dardenne (R) 5,266 (70%)
Francis Heitmeier (D) 1,010 (13%)
Mike Francis (R) 891 (12%)
Mary Chehardy (R) 147 (2%)
Others 197 (3%)

2007 Governors Race
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 10,442 (71%)
Walter Boasso (D) 1,556 (11%)
John Georges (I) 1,490 (10%)
Foster Campbell (D) 1,128 (8%)
Others 121 (1%)

2007 Agriculture Commissioner Race
“Bob” Odom (D) 3,294 (23%)
Mike Strain (R) 7,633 (54%)
Wayne Carter (R) 2,577 (18%)
Don Johnson (R) 616 (4%)

In our analysis of House District 65, we noted that Donald Ray Kennard’s House seat in East Baton Rouge Parish was the epicenter of the 1995 Republican surge. There was actually an earlier surge in 1984-5, when Republican membership in the state house roughly doubled due to party switches. Those party switches occurred at a time that Democrats represented nearly 95% of the legislature, and running as a Republican (even in conservative areas) was a dicey proposition.

One of those party switches occurred in District 70, where Carl Crane has served as its representative since 1982 (before that, he was on the Baton Rouge City Council from 1976-1982). District 70 itself is one of the fastest growing districts in the entire state (its growth in registered voters was five times the statewide average between 2003-2007) and has been repeatedly pared back in subsequent reapportionments. It generally covers the southern fringe of East Baton Rouge Parish, although in the 1980s, it included a handful of Livingston Parish precincts.

District 70 itself is a diverse collection of four areas. The first part includes neighborhoods near LSU (College Town, Plantation Trace, Woodstone/Woodgate, and half of Kenilworth) along Highland Road. This area was generally settled by the late 1980s, although tracts of land held by longtime landowners have been developed into small subdivisions from time to time since then. About 20% of the population lives here. The area has a conservative lean, but the high education levels and racial diversity of the residents here (a significant number of whom are employed by LSU or the state) gives moderate to liberal candidates some traction. Another 20% of the population lives in rapidly growing (28% growth in the last four years) neighborhoods near the Burbank/Gardere area in the southwest corner of the parish. Historically, only students and younger suburbanites lived here, but the economic troubles in the 1980s resulted in rapid demographic and racial change. Recently, the extension of Bluebonnet (a main thoroughfare) into the southwestern reaches of the parish has resulted in the development of higher income subdivisions. Still, the area has had a Democratic lean to it since the early 1990s. The third area (about a third of the population) consists of newer generally high-dollar neighborhoods along the lower sections of Highland Road. Politically and demographically, this area is similar to older neighborhoods closer to LSU, but with less of a moderate/liberal lean. The last section of the district (about 30%) consists of new neighborhoods in the southeastern corner of the parish. This area is staunchly conservative and is rapidly growing – 18% growth in the last four years. Overall, the district is about 15% African-American (up from 14% from several years ago).

Politically, the district has a decided (but not overwhelming) Republican preference due to its diversity. In contested races for senator, governor, and president, the district’s Republican preference has been in the 65%-71% range, with stronger preference for George Bush and “Bobby” Jindal. Though this level of Republican support would seem to indicate a Republican lock on races, Representative Crane has received surprisingly strong Democratic competition after his mid 1980s party switch: for three subsequent elections, he received between 52-57% of the vote, only increasing his support to 62% in 1999 against a Democratic trial lawyer, to 74% in 2003 against two Republicans. These competitive races probably are due to Representative Crane’s staunchly conservative voting record (he’s proud of his perfect LABI rating) being in direct conflict with some of the district’s more moderate and liberal voters.

Representative Crane is term-limited in 2007, and three Republicans are contesting the seat: attorney (and former Democrat) Aidan Reynolds, attorney (and Navy veteran) Franklin Foil, and Metrocouncilman Pat Culbertson.