Changes

In 2004, seventeen years after his last campaign, Scott announced that he would launch a Republican challenge to incumbent Democratic Representative Rodney Alexander, who had been a narrow winner, 974 votes out of 172,462 votes cast, in 2002 over the young businessman [[Lee Fletcher]] of Monroe. National Republican leaders at first agreed to support Scott.

In 2004, seventeen years after his last campaign, Scott announced that he would launch a Republican challenge to incumbent Democratic Representative Rodney Alexander, who had been a narrow winner, 974 votes out of 172,462 votes cast, in 2002 over the young businessman [[Lee Fletcher]] of Monroe. National Republican leaders at first agreed to support Scott.

Then, minutes before the filing deadline, and after he had already filed for reelection as a Democrat, Alexander switched parties. His action left the Democrats without a credible candidate in the race and undercut Scott's chances as well.[16] Alexander in particular angered the state's two powerful Democratic U.S. senators, [[John Breaux]] (who had announced his retirement) and [[Mary Landrieu]] (reelected to second and third terms in 2002 and 2008), because they had worked for Alexander in his race against Lee Fletcher. Many Louisiana Democrats called Alexander "cowardly" for his last-minute party switch.[17]

Then, minutes before the filing deadline, and after he had already filed for reelection as a Democrat, Alexander switched parties. His action left the Democrats without a credible candidate in the race and undercut Scott's chances as well.[16] Alexander in particular angered the state's two powerful Democratic U.S. senators, [[John Breaux]] (who had announced his retirement) and [[Mary Landrieu]] (reelected to second and third terms in 2002 and 2008), because they had worked for Alexander in his race against Lee Fletcher. Many Louisiana Democrats called Alexander "cowardly" for his last-minute party switch.[17]

Scott remained in the race as an unendorsed Republican, but GOP leaders, including then Speaker Dennis Hastert of [[Illinois]], coalesced quickly behind Alexander. The National Republican Congressional Committee demanded that Scott leave the race. Party leaders even denied him the right to speak at campaign events. Nor could he raise enough funds to counter Alexander's advantage of incumbency.[18]

Scott remained in the race as an unendorsed Republican, but GOP leaders, including then Speaker Dennis Hastert of [[Illinois]], coalesced quickly behind Alexander. The National Republican Congressional Committee demanded that Scott leave the race. Party leaders even denied him the right to speak at campaign events. Nor could he raise enough funds to counter Alexander's advantage of incumbency.[18]

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Scott ffers relevant experience, deep knowledge of the issues and high energy. The 5th congressional district needs all of that. The district needs a representative who can leverage the significant economic development happening in and around Alexandria and Pineville while providing new thinking to help jump-start its lagging areas.

Scott offers relevant experience, deep knowledge of the issues and high energy. The 5th congressional district needs all of that. The district needs a representative who can leverage the significant economic development happening in and around Alexandria and Pineville while providing new thinking to help jump-start its lagging areas.

Scott's ambitious proposal to build an interstate highway from Alexandria to Monroe is new thinking, for sure. Although the proposal is not practical at this time, it is aimed directly at one of the district's biggest problems: highways. It also shows an appetite for innovation, and that can help a district that is hungry to grow.

Scott's ambitious proposal to build an interstate highway from Alexandria to Monroe is new thinking, for sure. Although the proposal is not practical at this time, it is aimed directly at one of the district's biggest problems: highways. It also shows an appetite for innovation, and that can help a district that is hungry to grow.

Likewise, his desire to add his voice to national issues is refreshing. He strongly supports President George W. Bush's aggressive stance against terrorism, but laments that the war in Iraq has become so political. "Scott ... understands the complex challenges facing the district and the nation. That will serve him well as a member of Congress."

Likewise, his desire to add his voice to national issues is refreshing. He strongly supports President George W. Bush's aggressive stance against terrorism, but laments that the war in Iraq has become so political. "Scott ... understands the complex challenges facing the district and the nation. That will serve him well as a member of Congress."

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Not only did Scott obtain the newspaper's backing, but its former publisher, Joe Dorsey Smith, Jr. (1922-2008), of Alexandria was a generous donor to Scott's campaign.[20] Another who contributed to Scott was former Democratic State Senator Bernice G. Dyess (1922-2013) of Rapides Parish, a [[Southern Baptist]] clergyman.[21]

 

Not only did Scott obtain the newspaper's backing, but its former publisher, [[Joe D. Smith, Jr.]], of Alexandria was a generous donor to Scott's campaign.[20] Another who contributed to Scott was former Democratic State Senator Bernice G. Dyess (1922-2013) of Rapides Parish, a [[Southern Baptist]] clergyman.[21]

Republican Scott ran third in the race with 37,971 votes (16 percent). His only strong showing was in Rapides Parish, where he polled 14,379 votes, but even thereAlexander outpolled him with 23,958 ballots. Zelma "Tisa" Blakes, a black Democratic womanes, finished second in district balloting with 58,591 votes (25 percent). Alexander prevailed with 141,495 (59 percent).[22] Alexander was presumably aided by his incumbency and the presence of the second President Bush, an easy winner in Louisiana, at the head of the Republican ticket.

Republican Scott ran third in the race with 37,971 votes (16 percent). His only strong showing was in Rapides Parish, where he polled 14,379 votes, but even thereAlexander outpolled him with 23,958 ballots. Zelma "Tisa" Blakes, a black Democratic womanes, finished second in district balloting with 58,591 votes (25 percent). Alexander prevailed with 141,495 (59 percent).[22] Alexander was presumably aided by his incumbency and the presence of the second President Bush, an easy winner in Louisiana, at the head of the Republican ticket.