Indicted Rep. Jefferson Heads To Runoff After Surviving Primary

Baton Rouge, LA (AHN) - Despite his 16-count indictment on money laundering and other charges, Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) led the party primary in his district on Saturday and will face a runoff against a former TV anchor in November.

Democratic and Republican Party primaries in Louisiana were originally scheduled for last month but were held over the weekend because of Hurricane Gustav.

The primary in the 2nd congressional district saw Jefferson receiving 25 percent of all votes, followed by former TV anchor Helena Moreno with 20 percent, and state Rep. Cedric Richmond with 17 percent. Because no candidate received at least 50 percent of votes, Jefferson will have to square off with Moreno in the runoff scheduled for Nov. 4, the same day the nation hold the general election. Louisiana holds its general election on Dec. 6.

Whoever wins the runoff will face Republican candidate Joseph Cao. The race has been rated "Safe Democratic" by the Congressional Quarterly.

Jefferson, a nine-term congressman, pleaded not guilty last year to a 16-count indictment including racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy. His congressional office was raided by the FBI in May 2006 as part of an international investigation of allegations that he accepted a $100,000 bribe from an Internet and cable company in West Africa. Prosecutors said $90,000 of the money was found in "various frozen food containers and wrapped in aluminum foil" in the freezer in Jefferson's home. His trial begins in December.