Monday, December 04, 2006
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Embattled U.S. Rep. William Jefferson hunted for votes among churchgoers Sunday as he headed into the final week of a campaign to hold onto his seat and salvage his political fortunes.
FBI raids on his homes and his congressional office, including allegations in an FBI affidavit that he hid $90,000 in bribe money in a freezer, have left Jefferson vulnerable for the first time since he won the seat in 1990. In the Nov. 7 open multiparty primary, the Democratic congressman netted 30 percent of the vote, considered a poor showing for an incumbent.
In Saturday's runoff, Jefferson faces a stiff challenge from state Rep. Karen Carter, a Democrat and well-financed and energetic lawyer hoping to become the first black female from Louisiana to ever hold a seat in Congress.
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