Congressional Remap Creates Rift In La. Delegation

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's loss of a U.S. House district is creating a rift in the state's republican-dominated congressional delegation.

They're haggling over how to redraw boundaries, and how to decide which two members of the delegation could be forced to run against each other next year.

For newly elected Rep. Jeff Landry of New Iberia, it's a special problem.

Rep. Rodney Alexander, dean of the delegation, says five congressmen support keeping six districts anchored as they now are, but divides Landry's bayou country district among the others. Landry, if he chose to run, would be in fellow Republican Rep. Charles Boustany's district.

The Legislature will hold a special session in March to redesign political boundaries, and will consider recommendations from the congressional delegation. Of the current House delegation of seven, only one is a Democrat.