Free Republic

Alexander defends late party switch in 5th District debate By ADAM NOSSITER Associated Press writer MONROE -- Congressman Rodney Alexander defended a last-minute party switch that infuriated Democrats Sunday night, in the sole televised debate of an otherwise quiet race to represent a broad swath of central and north Louisiana. Alexander, boosted by polls showing him way out in front and likely to win the 5th Congressional District race without a runoff, spoke calmly about an issue that initially threw his race into an uproar, and had Democrats from Louisiana to Washington denouncing him in harsh terms. He brushed off...

Sign-up Reopened for House Race in Louisiana NewsMax.com Wires Monday, Aug. 23, 2004 PLAQUEMINE, La. – A state judge ruled Monday that the sign-up period should be reopened for the Nov. 2 election in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District, where incumbent Rep. Rodney Alexander infuriated Democrats by switching to the Republican Party minutes before the qualifying deadline. District Judge Allen Edwards did not set a date for the new sign-up period. He said the new dates should be set after appeals, which are likely, have been exhausted. On Aug. 4, at the start of qualifying for the 5th District race, Alexander...