From John Maginnis’ weekly column:

State Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, is the only sure challenger to Congressman Don Cazayoux, and he hopes to keep it that way, at least on the GOP side. Now that former Republican candidate Laurinda Calongne has ruled out another try, the big questions hanging over the July 9-11 qualifying period surround Woody Jenkins, who could run again in the GOP primary, and Rep. Michael Jackson, a Baton Rouge Democrat who could file as an independent. Cassidy is concentrating on raising money and appears to be having success, judging from the list of hosts for his fundraiser Thursday night. They included many of the business and professional elite who were missing from Jenkins’ campaign finance reports.

With the announcement that Dr. Cassidy will run this fall, national political analyst Charlie Cook has updated the status of the race in District 6. Originally, the race was considered “Lean Democrat”, but now it is expected to be “highly competive”. 

Read his full analysis:

Charlie Cook’s Political Report:

Competition Heats Up
June 19, 2008
House Editor David Wasserman releases ratings changes in three districts where competition is heating up. (…)

In Louisiana, Republicans received some good news when state Sen. Bill Cassidy formally announced plans to challenge freshman Democratic Rep. Don Cazayoux, who won a May special election to fill the unexpired term of former GOP Rep. Richard Baker. This race moves from the Lean Democratic column to the Toss Up column.
 
Ratings Changes
LA-06    Don Cazayoux    Lean Democratic to Toss Up
Unlike in the two other districts where Republicans lost recent special elections, the GOP isn’t stuck with the same flawed candidate for the November general election here. Although Republican Woody Jenkins has said he will run again, Republicans are high on a newly announced candidate, state Sen. Bill Cassidy.
 
Insiders describe Cassidy as close to Baton Rouge’s business community and less social-issue driven than Jenkins. Cazayoux may have six months under his belt by November, but he is not yet out of the woods. Unless Jenkins somehow convinces Republican voters to nominate him again so soon after he lost, this race will be highly competitive in November.

Listen to the inteview of Dr. Bill Cassidy, candidate for Congress in Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District, on News Radio 1150 WJBO. 

Dr. Cassidy discusses the legislative pay raise, health care for the uninsured in Louisiana, and his decision to serve.

Bill Cassidy

for Congress - District 6

Thursday, June 26, 2008

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

990 Stanford Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA

Special Guest: Governor Bobby Jindal

Robert Adley

Will and Janie Anderson

Bob and Kellie Belk

Lisa and Dore Binder

Cheryl Braud and Paul Perkowski
(more…)

Time:               12:15 pm 
Location:         Old Louisiana State Capitol 
Date:  Tuesday June 17, 2008

(Baton Rouge – LA) On Tuesday at 12:15 Dr. Bill Cassidy will announce his candidacy for Congress at the Old Louisiana State Capitol.  He will be joined by friends, colleagues, and community leaders supporting his campaign. 

Dr. Cassidy will take questions from the media following his announcement.

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