The incumbent was Republican Steve Scalise, who had represented the district since 2008. He was re-elected with 78% of the vote in 2014.
In late 2014, Scalise became embroiled in a controversy over a speech he had given to the white supremacist group European-American Unity and Rights Organization, which was founded by David Duke, in 2002. After it emerged that earlier in his career, Scalise had compared himself to Duke, Scalise distanced himself from Duke. This prompted Duke to say that he might run against Scalise in 2016 because Scalise had been "elected on false pretenses" and had "betrayed" the voters by "suggesting that they're racist because they supported my views".[1][2][3] In July 2016, Duke said he was considering running against Scalise.[4]
Candidates
Republican
Declared
Steve Scalise, incumbent U.S. Representative and House Majority Whip
Declined
David Duke, former state representative, candidate for governor of Louisiana in 1991, and former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard (ran for U.S. Senate)[5][6]
Incumbent Democrat Cedric Richmond, who had represented the district since 2011, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 69% of the vote in 2014. The district had a PVI of D+23.
Incumbent Republican Charles Boustany, who had represented the 3rd district since 2013, and previously represented the 7th district from 2005 to 2013, ran for the United States Senate.[12]
Erick Knezek, Lafayette School Board member[21][22]
Democratic
Declared
Jacob "Dorian Phibian" Hebert, artist and musician[7][23]
Larry Rader, 2011 Democratic candidate for District 49 of the Louisiana House of Representatives[7]
Libertarian
Declared
Guy McLendon, Texarkana Regional Director of the Gary Johnson 2016 campaign for president, and previously served on the Libertarian Party National Committee, Texas vice-chair, chair of Harris County, Texas, Louisiana vice-chair, and four terms on the LP National Platform Committees – 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2014[7]
Independent
Declared
Kenny P. Scelfo Sr., candidate for mayor of Franklin in 2014, Franklin City Councilman, Franklin mayor pro tempore[7]
The incumbent was Republican Ralph Abraham, who had represented the district since 2015. He was elected with 64% of the vote in the 2014 runoff election.
Incumbent Republican Garret Graves, who had represented the district since 2015. He was elected with 62% of the vote in the 2014 runoff election over former four-term governor and convicted felon Edwin Washington Edwards, who represented the now-defunct 7th district from 1965 until his first election as governor in 1972.
Candidates
Republican
Declared
Bob Bell, retired navy captain and candidate for this seat in 2014