Political unknowns run for La. congressional seats

Published Oct 19, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Oct 19, 2012)

They may acknowledge they are long shots, but the lesser-known contenders vying for Louisiana's congressional seats on Nov. 6 have political positions and frustrations they want to discuss as they seek grassroot support for their candidacies. Each of Louisiana's six U.S. House races has drawn candidates who have limited name recognition and have done almost no fundraising while trying to oust incumbent congressmen. Some of the names have appeared again and again on election ballots in unsuccessful bids for office. Others are political newcomers. All of them have to undergo difficult, if not impossible, battles to win their races. While some of the long-shot candidates are promoting specific policy points, others say they just don't want to see an elected official coast back into office. "There's something un-American about an unopposed congressional candidate," says Rufus Craig Jr., a Libertarian running against Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy in the Baton Rouge-based 6th District. Craig points out that his party offers an alternative to Democrats and Republicans, who he says have not done enough to solve the nation's problems or keep government from growing out of control. "We keep sending Democrats and Republicans to Washington. Without change, there can be no progress," says Richard "RPT" Torregano, an independent also running in the 6th District race. Check out the full story here.