1985 Louisiana's 8th congressional district special election

none February 2026 January 2025 1985 Louisiana's 8th congressional district special election Louisiana Presidential House of Representatives No 1984 United States House of Representatives elections in Hawaii#District 8 1984 1986 United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana#District 8 1986 March 30, 1985 Catherine Small Long.jpg Cathy Long Democratic Party (United States) 59,836 55.38% Jock Scott.webp John W. "Jock" Scott Democratic Party (United States) 26,573 24.60% Clyde C. Holloway.jpg Clyde C. Holloway Republican Party (United States) 17,920 16.59% Representative Gillis William Long Democratic Party (United States) Catherine Small Long Democratic Party (United States) The 1985 United States House of Representatives special election in Louisiana's 8th congressional district was held on March 30, 1985, to select the successor to Congressman Gillis William Long, who died on January 20, 1985 after being re-elected in 1984. Long's widow, Cathy Long, ran to succeed him. Long won a majority of vote in the primary election, thereby eliminating the need for a runoff election. Candidates Cathy Long, widow of Congressman Gillis William Long (Democratic) John W. "Jock" Scott, State Representative (Democratic) Clyde C. Holloway, businessman (Republican) Daniel E. Becnel, Jr., attorney from LaPlace (Democratic) Frank J. McTopy (Democratic) Campaign Following the Congressman's death, a crowded field of potential candidates emerged as possible successors, but few candidates ultimately proved willing to run against Cathy Long. Prior to Long's formal entry into the race, she urged "loyal" supporters of her husband to "not oppose her candidacy."1985-01-29 Cathy Long Is Expected To Announce This Week Leggett Jim Alexandria Town Talk Alexandria, Louisiana A-1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/216503923/ 2024-11-28 After she announced, she was seen as the frontrunner,1985-02-10 Long starts race holding the aces Candace Lee Daily World Opelousas, Louisiana 5-A https://www.newspapers.com/image/216503923/ 2024-11-28 and most prospective candidates declined to run, with the exception of State Representative Jock Scott, who jumped into the race before Long.1985-01-29 Jock Scott In Race For Gillis' Seat Leggett Jim Alexandria Town Talk Alexandria, Louisiana A-1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/216503923/ 2024-11-28 During the campaign, Long emphasized her familiarity with the issues and operating in Washington, D.C., noting, "I don't have to start from scratch. I already know the way Congress works and I can give an immediate return on the years the 8th District has invested in Gillis Long and his efficient office."1985-02-04 Gillis Long's widow to run for Congress Shreveport Journal Shreveport, Louisiana 5A https://www.newspapers.com/image/601938686/ 2024-11-28 She won the endorsement of the state's senior U.S. Senator, Russell B. Long,1985-02-19 Sen. Long Believes Government Should Lend Farmers a Hand Leggett Jim Alexandria Town Talk Alexandria, Louisiana A-1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/216497067/ 2024-11-28 as well as the support of the local Black political establishment. Scott, a conservative Democrat, was Long's leading opponent in the race. He emphasized his record in the state legislature,1985-03-03 Scott scoffs at seniority issue Dixon Mary Daily World Opelousas, Louisiana 1-A https://www.newspapers.com/image/228485520/ 2024-11-28 which earned him the endorsement of The Advocate, which praised him as someone who evaluates "each issue and decides it on its merits, an attitude which will serve his constituents, and Scott, well in Washington."1985-03-18 Baton Rouge Paper Endorses Jock Scott Alexandria Town Talk Alexandria, Louisiana A-1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/216509658 2024-11-28 Scott attacked Long's campaign as being overly reliant on voter sympathy and affiliation with her husband, characterizing her as absent from the campaign trail. "The longest address she's made is 30 seconds, and that was just to say thank you and to start milking the sympathy issue," he argued.1985-03-18 Opponent: Mrs. Long runs non-campaign The News-Star Monroe, Louisiana 5B https://www.newspapers.com/image/1039842191/ 2024-11-28 He cast doubt on her ability to continue her husband's work. "Whoever is elected will be a rookie," he argued. "Gillis Long's seniority has been lost forever. His committee appointments have been taken and his offices have been taken." Ultimately, despite concern that Long would fail to win a majority of the vote in the first round, she handily defeated her opponents, winning 55 percent of the vote, eliminating the need for a runoff election. Results Louisiana's 8th congressional district special electionhttps://voterportal.sos.la.gov/static/1985-03-30/resultsRace/Congressional Official Election Results for Election Date: 3/30/1985 Louisiana Secretary of State. 2024-11-28 Democratic Party (United States) Cathy Long 59,836 55.38% Democratic Party (United States) John W. "Jock" Scott 26,573 24.60% Republican Party (United States) Clyde C. Holloway 17,920 16.59% Democratic Party (United States) Daniel E. Becnel, Jr. 3,216 2.98% Democratic Party (United States) Frank J. McTopy 496 0.46% 108,041 100.00% Democratic Party (United States) References Louisiana 1985 08 Louisiana 1985 08 1985 08 Special Louisiana 08 Special United States House of Representatives 08 Special United States House of Representatives 1985 08