Jefferson Gets Challengers

    I've been calling for someone to get up and challenge CAFTA 15 Rep. William "I Store 90,000 In My Freezer" Jefferson. And, sure enough, a number of someones have stepped forward:

12 File to Oppose Rep. Jefferson
By Allan Lengel Washington Post Staff Writer

Under the glare of an FBI investigation, a politically vulnerable Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.) will face a dozen challengers in his bid for reelection, including some well-known Louisiana names. When the 5 p.m. filing deadline for the November election passed yesterday, eight Democrats, three Republicans and one Libertarian had filed to run against the eight-term incumbent, a sharp contrast to two years ago, when he faced one challenger.

The candidates include state Sen. Derrick Shepherd (D), state Rep. Karen Carter (D) and former state representative and New Orleans City Council member Troy Carter (D).

    Here's hoping that the labor movement can play a role in backing the strongest candidate so that all these folks don't split the vote so much that Jefferson gets re-elected.