Changes

==2020 congressional race==

==2020 congressional race==

On February 26, 2020, U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham announced that he would not seek a fourth term.<ref>https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/louisiana/articles/2020-02-26/abraham-wont-run-again-for-louisiana-congressional-seat</ref>On March 9, 2020, Letlow officially announced his campaign for the seat and was endorsed immediately by Abraham.<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/03/09/luke-letlow-joins-congressional-race-ralph-abrahams-backing/4998583002/</ref> "Luke has played a vital and integral part of every decision I've made in Congress," Abraham said. "If Luke should decide to get in the game he'll have my full backing," said Abraham. Letlow stepped down as Chief of Staff in order to run for the seat, as required by law.

On February 26, 2020, U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham announced that he would not seek a fourth term.<ref>https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/louisiana/articles/2020-02-26/abraham-wont-run-again-for-louisiana-congressional-seat</ref>On March 9, 2020, Letlow officially announced his campaign for the seat and was endorsed immediately by Abraham.<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/03/09/luke-letlow-joins-congressional-race-ralph-abrahams-backing/4998583002/</ref> "Luke has played a vital and integral part of every decision I've made in Congress," Abraham said. "If Luke should decide to get in the game he'll have my full backing," said Abraham. Letlow stepped down as chief of staff to run for the seat, a stipulation required by law.

On May 13, 2020, he named Andrew Bautsch as the campaign manager. Bautsch served previously as the executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party.<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/05/13/louisiana-gop-director-leaving-run-luke-letlows-congressional-campaign/5182657002/</ref> In addition to Bautsch, he hired veteran fundraiser Sally Nungesser.

On May 13, 2020, Letlow he named as his campaign mangager, Andrew Bautsch, who previously served as the executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party.<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/05/13/louisiana-gop-director-leaving-run-luke-letlows-congressional-campaign/5182657002/</ref> In addition to Bautsch, he hired veteran fundraiser Sally Nungesser.

On July 13, 2020, Letlow announced that his campaign had raised $572,609, all from donors, with $502,006 cash on hand. Republican state Representative [[Lance Harris]] of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] was second in fundraising with $119,768 and $117,732 cash on hand. That total includes a candidate loan of $1,200. Republican Ouachita Parish Police Juror Scotty Robinson reported $56,538 cash on hand in his March 31, 2020, first-quarter report. Alexandria [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Sandra "Candy" Christophe reported raising $19,212 and spending $29,190.<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/07/13/luke-letlow-rakes-big-fundraising-haul-5th-congressional-race/5427029002/</ref>

On July 13, 2020, Letlow announced that his campaign had raised $572,609, with $502,006 cash on hand. Republican state Representative [[Lance Harris]] of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] was second in fundraising with $119,768 and $117,732 cash on hand. That total includes a candidate loan of $1,200. Republican Ouachita Parish Police Juror Scotty Robinson reported $56,538 cash on hand in his March 31, 2020, first-quarter report. Alexandria Democrat Sandra "Candy" Christophe reported raising $19,212 and spending $29,190.<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/07/13/luke-letlow-rakes-big-fundraising-haul-5th-congressional-race/5427029002/</ref>

On July 22, 2020, he officially qualified for the seat as a Republican, noting that he wants to "continue the great work done by Dr. Abraham, who I believe set the bar," Letlow said. "I'm the only candidate who has gotten results in Washington. I'm proud of what we've accomplished." <ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/07/22/heres-who-qualified-louisianas-only-open-congressional-seat-wednesday/5487037002/</ref> Other candidates qualifying for the seat included Allen Guillory Sr., an Opelousas Republican; "Matt" Hasty, a [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]] Republican; Jesse P. Lagarde, an Amite Democrat; Martin Lemelle, Jr., a Ruston Democrat, and Phillip Snowden, a Monroe Democrat. In August the campaign announced the release of its first campaign ad to be aired on television.<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/08/24/luke-letlows-congressional-campaign-first-go-up-tv-ads/3428624001/</ref> Letlow has received the endorsements of the Washington, Tangipahoa, Grant, Lasalle, and Ouachita Parish Republican Executive Committees.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/lukeletlowforcongress/videos/ouachita-rpec-endorsement/659672848015254/?__so__=permalink&__rv__=related_videos</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/lukeletlowforcongress/videos/3490505424304934/</ref><ref>https://thehayride.com/community/main-forum/the-first-pec-endorsement-in-the-5th-district-congressional-race-goes-to/</ref> He was endorsed by the Baton Rouge Business Report on October 6, 2020,<ref>https://www.businessreport.com/opinions/rolfe-mccollister-endorsements-steve-carter-mayor</ref> and on October 12, 2020, the campaign announced the additional endorsements of U.S. Rep. [[Garret Graves]] and U.S. Rep. [[Clay Higgins]].<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/10/12/louisiana-congressmen-clay-higgins-garret-graves-endorse-luke-letlow/5965854002/</ref> Letlow also carries the support of a bipartisan coalition of Louisiana [[sheriff]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/23/republican-luke-letlow-secures-sheriffs-endorsements-congressional-race/6393787002/|title=Republican Luke Letlow secures sheriffs' endorsement in 5th congressional district race|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|date=November 23, 2020|accessdate=December 2, 2020}}</ref>

On July 22, 2020, Letlow officially qualified for the seat. He vowed to "continue the great work done by Dr. Abraham, who I believe set the bar," Letlow said. "I'm the only candidate who has gotten results in Washington. I'm proud of what we've accomplished."<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/07/22/heres-who-qualified-louisianas-only-open-congressional-seat-wednesday/5487037002/</ref> Other candidates qualifying for the seat included Republicans Allen Guillory, Sr., of Opelousas and "Matt" Hasty, a [[Pineville, Louisiana|Pineville]] Republican. Four other Democrats also ran: Jesse P. Lagarde of Amite in Tangipahoa Parish, Martin Lemelle, Jr., of Ruston, and Phillip Snowden of Monroe. In August the campaign announced the release of its first advertising  for [[television]].<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/08/24/luke-letlows-congressional-campaign-first-go-up-tv-ads/3428624001/</ref> Letlow received the endorsements of the Republican executive committees in Washington, Tangipahoa, Grant, Lasalle, and Ouachita parishes. Committees.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/lukeletlowforcongress/videos/ouachita-rpec-endorsement/659672848015254/?__so__=permalink&__rv__=related_videos</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/lukeletlowforcongress/videos/3490505424304934/</ref><ref>https://thehayride.com/community/main-forum/the-first-pec-endorsement-in-the-5th-district-congressional-race-goes-to/</ref> A month before the primary, he was endorsed by ''The Baton Rouge Business Report.''<ref>https://www.businessreport.com/opinions/rolfe-mccollister-endorsements-steve-carter-mayor</ref> He gained the endorsements too of U.S. Reresentatives [[Garret Graves]] and [[Clay Higgins]].<ref>https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2020/10/12/louisiana-congressmen-clay-higgins-garret-graves-endorse-luke-letlow/5965854002/</ref> Letlow also carried the support of a bipartisan coalition of Louisiana [[sheriff]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/23/republican-luke-letlow-secures-sheriffs-endorsements-congressional-race/6393787002/|title=Republican Luke Letlow secures sheriffs' endorsement in 5th congressional district race|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|date=November 23, 2020|accessdate=December 2, 2020}}</ref>

In the runoff election held on December 5, 2020, Letlow defeated Harris, 49,182 votes (62 percent) to 30,124 (38 percent. The runoff overall turnout of 79,306 votes was only 25.6 percent of the 309,556, who participated in the November 3 primary held in conjunction with the presidential election.<ref<Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 3 and December 5, 2020.</ref>

In the runoff election held on December 5, 2020, Letlow defeated the second-placed primary rival, Lance Harris, 49,182 votes (62 percent) to 30,124 (38 percent. The overall runoff turnout of 79,306 votes was only 25.6 percent of the 309,556, who participated in the November 3 primary held in conjunction with the presidential election.<ref<Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 3 and December 5, 2020.</ref>

==Political positions==

==Political positions==