LaPolitics Weekly
October 9, 2009
By John Maginnis
www.LaPolitics.com

Money Chase Starts In N.O. District
The most competitive House race going on now is between two New Orleans Democrats, and it's over money. State Reps. Cedric Richmond and Juan Lafonta are the two declared Democrats seeking to unseat Republican Congressman Joseph Cao. Both are actively raising money in advance of next fall's Democratic primary.

Richmond, who announced Sept. 8, will report raising $115,000 in his first quarter of fundraising. That's fairly impressive considering the difficulty that mayoral candidates are having getting contributions for the February election.

Lafonta began receiving money on Oct. 1 with anticipation of a strong year-end report.
Richmond ran a close third in the first Democratic primary of 2008, behind Bill Jefferson and Helena Moreno.

Both are staffing up. Handling press chores for Richmond is Zach Hudson, a 22-year-old UNO student who started the Draft Stormy web site to encourage exotic dancer Stormy Daniels to run for the U.S. Senate.

Lafonta's campaign manager is Anastasia Apa, who has worked in Democratic campaigns around the South.