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→Losing to Rodney Alexander, 2004
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 qualifying 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 but unseated in 2014 by Republican [[Bill Cassidy]].
Then, minutes before the qualifying 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 but unseated in 2014 by Republican [[Bill Cassidy]]), 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]
), 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]