Here They Come Congressman

The qualifying period for candidates to run for office in Louisiana began yesterday and the opponents to embattled Congressman William Jefferson began to sign up right away. The first to drop off his paper was state Senator Derrick Shepherd.

Senator Shepherd was followed by:

Regina Bartholomew -- Attorney with Orleans Parish School Board;
Troy Carter -- Former State Representative and City Councilman;
Karen Carter -- State Representative (expected to file on Friday) ;
Gregory "Rhumbline" Kahn -- Businessman; and
M.V. "Vinney" Mendoza -- Former Congressional Candidate

Those 6 candidates may not make up the final field as the qualifying period ends Friday at 5pm central time.

Congressman Jefferson, who is still under federal investigation for bribery, filed his papers on the first day of qualifying which was Wednesday.

In other congressional races Artis Cash, (http://www.blackpolicy.org/black-races.php?s=LA) the Pastor and Founder of the Shreveport Christian Church, filed his papers to run in Louisiana's fourth congressional district against incumbent Republican Jim McCrery.

Blackpolicy.org will continue to list the candidates as they file during the qualifying period (http://www.blackpolicy.org/black-races.php?s=LA ).