Openly Gay, HIV Positive Progressive Candidate running- State House in La.

[funkybutt]

http://www.chrisdaigleforhouse.com/

House District 96 in New Orleans

Qualifying snuck up on candidates a couple of days before Christmas. Elections were moved up from April to Jan 29 (right in the middle of Mardi Gras). It seems that these inconveniences were no accident. Needless to say, turout is expected to be between 5-10%. That would basically mean somewhere around 3000 votes will be cast. With 8 (mostly unknown) candidates running, 700 votes could win for a candidate. This should be interesting. Anyone wanna come work another election (while also getting a chance to join in some Mardi Gras festivities)? Volunteer and come on down!

ON EDIT: PLEASE DONATE if you can!!!

[DaveinMD]

1. is this a special election

?

[funkybutt]

3. Yes...

He's running for the House of Representatives seat vacated by Ed Murray, of New Orleans, who was elected to state Senate.

Chris Daigle is running to become the first openly gay, HIV-positive member of the Louisiana Legislature.

Outgoing Rep Ed Murray's brother is also running. Maybe that's why information on this election has not been forthcoming. Rumors are that that Ed's Brother Bob Murray has a lot of "personal problems"...whatever that means.

[tx_dem41]

4. In my hometown of New Orleans.....

that could mean a wide range of things.

[tx_dem41]

2. It appears his district covers the French Quarter and Faubourg..

Marigny...how much more outside of those areas does it cover? Its hard to read the map.

[funkybutt]

5. It's a strange zig-zagging district

It includes
much of Marigny
about 1/3 of the French Quarter
Some of Gentilly
Dillard University Area
Bayou St. John Area/Fairgrounds
parts of Mid City
St. Bernard (including those housing projects by the same name)

[tx_dem41]

6. That is a strange mix (especially with the infamous..

St. Bernard projects rolled in). I imagine its pretty liberal, but I'm not sure how the gay, HIV+ issue will play in the African-American community. It seems that it has been used as a wedge issue in the past.

[funkybutt]

7. yes..BUT

turnout in the FQ/Marigny area could cancel that out with it's large gay community. Also there are 5 african american candidates...that vote could split. I haven't heard anything yet about those candidates but the candidates that I have come from seem to have just begun their campaigns this week.

[tx_dem41]

8. I'll keep an eye out on this race...

I grew up in Algiers (in-laws still live there) and would love to move back one day (been gone for 24 years...live in Dallas now).

Love your name!

[funkybutt]

9. Kick