US Representative, William Jefferson, garnered a quarter of voters in his Congressional district to secure a spot in a November 4 runoff, as he overcame the stigma of a federal bribery indictment in Louisiana’s Democratic primary on Saturday.  

Jefferson - Louisiana’s first black congressman since Reconstruction - is seeking his 10th term in Congress - he has won the New Orleans-based 2nd Congressional District seat nine times. His runoff opponent, Helena Moreno, a political newcomer and former television reporter, is incidentally the only white candidate in the race.

Stripped of an important committee post by Democratic leadership in Congress, Jefferson faces a trial in December on charges that he took bribes, laundered money and misused his Congressional office for business dealings in Africa. He has denied wrongdoing and refused to discuss details of the accusations against him.

In fact, he presented himself to voters as still having clout in Washington. And at least 25% bought it - he finished atop a field of seven in Saturday’s party primary. Moreover, he also has demographics on his side - 62% of the registered voters in the 2nd District are black.

Visibly irritated when asked about whether the indictment had lessened his Washington clout, he called questions “pointless.” Jefferson, who takes credit for helping get billions of dollars in aid for the New Orleans area since the 2005 Katrina Hurricane, said: “The work that I do is based on relationships with the members of Congress.”

He added: “If the other members didn’t want to work with me they could have long ago jettisoned any suggestion I made.”
Addressing a few dozen family members and supporters at a restaurant in eastern New Orleans, a confident-sounding Jefferson said: “We look forward to a rigorous campaign but a successful outcome.” A victory by Jefferson in the runoff would put him in a December 6 general election in the district.