Alexander wins another term

Voters across the nation may have shown their dissatisfaction with the Republicans, but voters in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District resoundingly remained red by sending U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander back for a third term …

With all 778 precincts reporting complete but unofficial returns, Alex-ander won leading with 78,835 votes (68 percent), followed by Democrat Gloria Hearn of Pineville with 33,466 votes (29 percent), Libertarian Brent Sanders of Alexandria with 1,887 votes (2 percent) and John Watts of Bastrop with 1,266 (1 percent).

"Any win is good, but to win by this margin in such a hostile national environment is great," said Alexander, who celebrated with supporters at the Jackson Parish Community Center in Jonesboro…

Tuesday's victory was Alexander's largest ever. He won 59 percent of the vote in 2004 during his first re-election bid and squeaked out a victory by less than 1,000 votes for an open seat in 2002 when he ran as a Democrat. Alexander switched parties just before the qualifying deadline in 2004…

Alexander said his constituency remained generally satisfied with the Republican leadership in the White House and Congress even as other Republicans were being ousted.

"I've never sensed the discontent in Louisiana or the 5th District that I've heard about and proved the case on a national level," Alexander said.

Even so, Alexander pointed out issues where he broke with Bush on certain issues.

"I've never felt like we had enough troops (in Iraq)," Alexander said. "I don't think that the president has been aggressive enough on the battle for our borders and I don't think that we've been as active as we should in the delivery of health care, especially in the 5th District."

Alexander said America should continue its fight to stabilize Iraq.

"Stay the course means win, but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't be able to change our strategy," he said. "The enemy's strategy changes every day."

Alexander said he believes 5th District voters are confident that he "works with anybody regardless of their party to make life better for the people here."

By Greg Hilburn
The News Star 11/8/2006