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===First run for Congress, 1980===

===First run for Congress, 1980===

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In 1980, Couhig waged a failed challenge to Democratic U.S. Representative Corrine Claiborne "Lindy" Boggs (1916-2013) of Louisiana's 2nd congressional district, popular widow of former House Majority Leader [[Hale Boggs]] of New Orleans.​

In 1980, Couhig waged a failed challenge to Democratic U.S. Representative [[Lindy Boggs|Corrine Claiborne "Lindy" Boggs]] of Louisiana's 2nd congressional district, the popular widow of former House Majority Leader [[Hale Boggs]] of New Orleans.​ Couhig raised some $200,000 (nearly 625,000 in 2019 dollars), a large amount at that time for a challenger in a difficult district. Lindy Boggs was the winner; she polled 45,091 votes (63.8 percent) to Couhig's 25,512 (36.2 percent). She was never seriously challenged in all of her congressional races between 1973 and 1988, when she won her last term. Couhig was actually among the stronger opponents that Boggs ever faced. Another candidate in the 1980 congressional race, Democrat Clyde F. Bel, Jr., of New Orleans, had served in the Louisiana House with Couhig's half-brother, Sam LeBlanc. Bel finished with less than 5 percent of the ballots cast.​

Couhig raised some $200,000 (nearly 625,000 in 2019 dollars), a large amount at that time for a challenger in a difficult district. Lindy Boggs was the winner; she polled 45,091 votes (63.8 percent) to Couhig's 25,512 (36.2 percent). She was never seriously challenged in all of her congressional races between 1973 and 1988, when she won her last term. Couhig was actually among the stronger opponents that Boggs ever faced. Another candidate in the 1980 congressional race, Democrat Clyde F. Bel, Jr., of New Orleans, had served in the Louisiana House with Couhig's half-brother, Sam LeBlanc. Bel finished with less than 5 percent of the ballots cast.​

The 2nd congressional district did not support a Republican candidate for Congress until the [[general election]] held on December 6, 2008, when the [[Vietnam]]ese refugee, [[Joseph Cao]], unseated the scandal-plagued [[William J. Jefferson]], who had succeeded Mrs. Boggs in 1991. Cao, however, was quickly unseated in the 2010 general election by the African-American Democrat [[Cedric Richmond]].

The 2nd congressional district did not support a Republican candidate for Congress until the [[general election]] held on December 6, 2008, when the [[Vietnam]]ese refugee, [[Joseph Cao]], unseated the scandal-plagued [[William J. Jefferson]], who had succeeded Mrs. Boggs in 1991. Cao, however, was quickly unseated in the 2010 general election by the African-American Democrat [[Cedric Richmond]].