In the runoff campaign, Richmond emphasized the need for private-public partnerships and education reform. Enjoying the support of prominent Democrats like then-Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.), he beat Scott by 30 points to grab his party's nomination, which typically guarantees a general election victory in this Democratic district.

Richmond, who eventually became the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, sponsored numerous bills on issues relating to crime, taxes and gun control. In particular, he championed a ban on assault weapons. He at times feuded with Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D-La.).

Controversies

In 2005, Richmond ran for an open seat on the New Orleans City Council. He secured the support of the establishment, but was quickly plagued by questions about whether he had actually lived in the district for two years, as is required by the city charter. Just eight days before the election, the state Supreme Court threw Richmond off the ballot, finding that he had sworn falsely to living in District D; the Court also suspended Richmond's law license for two months.

Richmond was also fined $2,000 for failing to report legal work he conducted in adoption proceedings to the state Board of Ethics within 10 days of taking the job. Richmond, who had disclosed the work in his reports to the state House, said he had filed the wrong form.

2008 House Races

In 2008, Richmond decided to challenge scandal-plagued Rep. Jefferson in the 2nd district, a heavily African-American district centered around New Orleans. A powerful 18-year incumbent, Jefferson had recently been indicted on 16 charges of corruption, but nonetheless chose to seek reelection.

In the crowded primary, much of the sparring occurred between Richmond and former TV news anchor Helena Moreno. Struggling to position themselves as the incumbent's main challenger, they questioned each other's integrity, with Richmond suggesting Moreno used drugs. Richmond earned The Times-Picayune's endorsement, but that didn't prove enough. On Election Day, Jefferson came in first with 25 percent; Richmond placed third behind Moreno, 20 to 18 percent, missing the runoff by 2 points.

After beating Moreno in the runoff, Jefferson was expected to easily cruise through the general election in a district that had just given Barack Obama 74 percent of the vote.

Yet, Republican nominee Anh "Joseph" Cao benefited from a perfect storm. Not only was the incumbent discredited by his legal troubles, but the election's delay till December 6th created unusual turnout patterns. With the House race the only contest to be decided that day, turnout in white precincts was far superior to that in black precincts and Cao pulled off a stunning upset few people had seen coming.

And House Democrats made Cao their number one target in the 2010 elections.

2010 House Race

In September 2009, Richmond announced he would run for the second cycle in a row - this time challenging a new incumbent.

He first faced a primary against fellow state Rep. Juan LaFonta. Richmond quickly locked up the support of the Democratic establishment, including New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the Congressional Black Caucus and even Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. While the DCCC typically does not get involved in open primaries, it wanted to avoid a runoff. Despite a wealthy LaFonta supporter funding last-minute attack ads questioning the frontrunner's ethics,, national Democrats got their wish when Richmond triumphed 61 to 20 percent in the August 2010 primary.

In the general election, Richmond aligned himself with President Obama and appealed to the district's clear Democratic leanings by reminding voters control of Congress is at stake.

He has criticized Cao for opposing national Democrats' agenda, from health-care reform and equal-pay legislation to stimulus funds. Meanwhile, Cao has sought to swim against the district's tide by touting a "great working relationship" with the president and his work on local issues.

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