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...

Lawyers to argue case today on Alexander's switch to GOP By The Associated Press Arguments are scheduled for today at a state appeals court in a lawsuit over U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander's last-minute switch from the Democrats to the Republicans in the congressional 5th district race. In court papers, two challengers in the Nov. 2 election -- one Republican, one Democrat -- said Alexander should be tossed off the ballot. Alexander was a longtime Democrat who filed to run for re-election as a Democrat on Aug. 4, then refiled as a Republican two days later, just before the deadline to...

Candidates' appeal blocks new signups 1st Circuit to take up 5th District quarrel By CHRIS FRINK cfrink@theadvocate.com Capitol news bureau Two candidates in the turbulent congressional 5th District race stopped an attempt to open the race to new candidates Tuesday. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge set a hearing on the appeal for 9:30 a.m. Monday. The election is Nov. 2. A state district judge had re-opened the qualifying period to allow incumbent U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander to rejoin the race. State Democrats sued Alexander in 18th Judicial District Court in Plaquemine after the former Democrat switched...

GOP backs state's newest Republican His rival gets left out in the cold Wednesday, August 11, 2004 By Ed Anderson Capital bureau BATON ROUGE -- The state and national GOP are backing U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander of Quitman, a newly minted Republican, rather than throwing their support behind longtime party member John "Jock" Scott, a former state House member who is running for Alexander's 5th District seat, party brass said Tuesday. "We are behind Congressman Alexander," said Jon Bargas, executive director of the state Republican Party. Bargas said state party officials are discussing ways to approach Scott about bowing out...