Max Malone (R)
Term limited in 2007
District Map

2002 Senate Race (Runoff)
Mary Landrieu (D) 12,706 (45%)
Suzy Terrell (R) 15,428 (55%)

2003 Governors Race (Runoff)
Kathleen Blanco (D) 10,462 (40%)
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 15,897 (60%)

2004 Presidential Race
George W. Bush (R) 27,062 (64%)
John Kerry (D) 14,903 (35%)
Others 357 (1%)

2004 Senate Race
David Vitter (R) 23,600 (60%)
Chris John (D) 9,075 (23%)
Others 6,452 (17%)

2006 Secretary of State Race
Jay Dardenne (R) 4,054 (23%)
Francis Heitmeier (D) 4,107 (23%)
Mike Francis (R) 6,792 (39%)
Mary Chehardy (R) 1,025 (6%)
Others 1,665 (9%)

2007 Governors Race
“Bobby” Jindal (R) 14,878 (59%)
Walter Boasso (D) 3,179 (13%)
John Georges (I) 2,641 (10%)
Foster Campbell (D) 4,227 (17%)
Others 245 (1%)

2007 Agriculture Commissioner Race
“Bob” Odom (D) 7,143 (30%)
Mike Strain (R) 10,165 (43%)
Wayne Carter (R) 4,652 (20%)
Don Johnson (R) 1,678 (7%)

District 37 is one of several Shreveport-area Senate districts. It is almost equally balanced between Caddo and Bossier Parishes, with slightly more than half the voters living in Caddo Parish. It has a modest (23%) African-American voter population, with a slightly higher African-American percentage in Caddo. The district has grown slowly over the fast several years, as it includes the more settled parts of both parishes. Specifically, the district contains portions of Shreveport south of downtown and east of I-49, while the Bossier Parish portions are generally south of the I-220 loop and between the Red River and Barksdale Air Force Base.

With its moderate African-American population, its makeup of settled “garden district” neighborhoods, and its modest but not overwhelming Republican lean, Senate District 37 bears a striking resemblance to House District 68 in the “garden district” of Baton Rouge. While District 68 has typically given 53-61% support for Republicans (with “weak” support for Suzy Terrell and “strong” support for Bobby Jindal), Senate District 37 has given Republicans 55-64% support with a nearly identical African-American population.

Like House District 68, Senate District 37 has competitive races, as Democrats have adapted to the local terrain and have run attractive candidates. Democrat Sydney Nelson represented the district from 1980 to 1992 with little opposition. When he retired, Democrat Greg Barro won a hotly contested runoff against a Republican, carrying Caddo overwhelmingly while losing Bossier. Senator Barro missed making the runoff in 1995, and the victor, Republican Max Malone, was elected 59-41% with solid margins in Bossier and a narrow margin in Caddo. Malone was closely pressed in his 1999 re-election race, defeating Democrat Don Pierson 51-49%, thanks to a 52% margin in Caddo. Pierson sought a rematch in 2003, but this time, Malone was victorious in the primary with 60% support in both parishes.

Senator Malone is term-limited in 2007. We rate this district as a “likely Republican hold.” There are four Republicans and one Democrat running for the seat. The Republican candidates are term-limited (and recent party switcher) state representative Billy Montgomery, educator and former state representative “Buddy” Shaw, oilman and party activist Jay Murrell, and businessman Barrow Peacock. The Democrat running is African-American attorney Sheva Sims, whose candidacy will supposedly impact the Montgomery campaign, as he was expected to win the lions share of Democratic votes.