BATON ROUGE, La. — In a pivotal election year, Democrats have set their sights on capturing a congressional seat in Louisiana that has historically leaned Republican. Recent redistricting efforts have created the state’s second predominantly Black congressional district, which could provide new opportunities for the party.

Five candidates are vying for the 6th Congressional District, with Democrats rallying behind seasoned politician Cleo Fields, who is 61 years old. Fields has been a fixture in Louisiana politics for 30 years, having served two terms in Congress after his initial election in 1992.

On the Republican side, the focus is on retaining this crucial seat, particularly as the GOP aims to maintain its majority in the U.S. House. The only Republican candidate in the race is Elbert Guillory, a former state representative who is 80 years old.

Historically, Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District has favored Republicans, with only one Democrat securing a victory in nearly five decades. However, recent changes to the district’s boundaries have altered the political landscape significantly.

In January, Louisiana lawmakers approved a new congressional map that includes a second majority-Black district, a milestone for Democrats and civil rights advocates following an extensive legal and political struggle lasting almost two years. The revised 6th District now spans diagonally across the state, linking Baton Rouge to Shreveport in the northwest. Currently, Black voters make up 54% of this electorate, a significant increase from the previous 24%. Notably, both Fields and Guillory are Black candidates.

Initially deemed an unlawful racial gerrymander by a lower court, the new map received a green light in May from the Supreme Court, compelling Louisiana to implement it in the upcoming congressional elections. This development heightens the prospects for Democrats aiming to gain leverage in a closely contested House.

At present, Louisana’s congressional representation consists of six seats, with only one, occupied by U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, belonging to a Democrat. Carter also stands out as the only Black member of the state’s congressional delegation.

The race takes place without the incumbent, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, a white Republican who decided against running for reelection, citing concerns over contesting the election under the newly established map.

All six congressional seats in Louisiana are up for grabs this election cycle. Other races feature incumbents, including some of the most influential members of the Republican Party, such as U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Additionally, Carter and fellow Republicans Clay Higgins and Julia Letlow are seeking reelection, facing competition from lesser-known candidates on the ballot.