Changes

In 2011, Gaines was elected to the House by defeating a "No Party" candidate, Russ Wise, 5,677 votes (69 percent) to 2,548 (31 percent).

In 2011, Gaines was elected to the House by defeating a "No Party" candidate, Russ Wise, 5,677 votes (69 percent) to 2,548 (31 percent).

<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11192011/11192011_Legislative.html|title=Election Results|date=November 19, 2011|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=May 4, 2015}}</ref> In the nonpartisan blanket [[primary]] held the preceding month, Gaines led with 41 percent, and three other Democratic candidates were eliminated.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref> The seat was vacated by the [[Republican Party|Republican]] incumbent, [[Nickey J. Monica]], but no [[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]] candidates sought the position, which was impacted by [[redistricting]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11172007/11172007_Legislative.html|title=Election Results|date=November 17, 2007|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=May 4, 2015}}</ref> Gaines ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2007 and was eliminated in the primary contest.<ref name=pvs/>                                                                                                                                                                             

<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11192011/11192011_Legislative.html|title=Election Results|date=November 19, 2011|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=May 4, 2015}}</ref> In the nonpartisan blanket [[primary]] held the preceding month, Gaines led with 41 percent, and three other Democratic candidates were eliminated.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 22, 2011.</ref> The seat was vacated by the [[Republican Party|Republican]] incumbent, [[Nickey J. Monica]], but no [[Republican Party (United States)|GOP]] candidates sought the position, which was impacted by [[redistricting]].<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 17, 2007.</ref> Gaines ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2007 and was eliminated in the primary.<ref name=pvs/>                                                                                                                                                                             

Representative Gaines is a member of the House Democratic Caucus and the Legislative Black Caucus. He carries a heavy schedule of House committees: (1) Civil Law and Procedure, (2) Homeland Security, (3) House and Governmental Affairs, (4) Judiciary, and (5) Military and Veterans Affairs.<ref name=pvs/>

Representative Gaines is a member of the House Democratic Caucus and the Legislative Black Caucus. He carries a heavy schedule of House committees: (1) Civil Law and Procedure, (2) Homeland Security, (3) House and Governmental Affairs, (4) Judiciary, and (5) Military and Veterans Affairs.<ref name=pvs/>