Jefferson Win Poses Dilemma for Party

Moreover, although Jefferson lost some key Democratic endorsements, he did pick up those of two others who are particularly influential in the black community: New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin and Bishop Paul Morton, often named as the city's most influential black minister. Jefferson appears to have won votes by attacking Carter for supporting same-sex marriage.

In conversations with voters here on Sunday, the racial divide was apparent. "I just wish we could one day elect someone who wouldn't look ridiculous to the rest of the country," said Betty Holahan-Smith, 45, a white voter from the Lower Garden District. "First, we had 'Chocolate City' Nagin. Now we have 'Dollar Bill' Jefferson."

"If the federal government really wanted to help New Orleans, they would have indicted him and taken him out of the game," said Tom Gault, 50, who is white and a Democrat, outside his townhouse in the Garden District. "It amazes me that people would vote for someone who may be indicted soon."

But after Sunday services at the First Pilgrim Baptist Church in the Bywater neighborhood, a group of three friends, all African American, concurred in their support for Jefferson and dismissed the allegations as unproved. Though two of Jefferson's associates -- a business partner and a former staff member -- have pleaded guilty in the bribery scheme, they cautioned against a rush to judgment.

"I just kind of felt if they had something on him, why haven't they indicted him?" said Tyra Bryant, 34, of Jefferson Parish. "I'm not even sure it's really true."

"He hasn't done anything the rest of the folks up in Washington haven't done -- he just got caught," said Sharon Williams of Mid-City.

Carter seems to have forgotten who she is, Williams said.

"Sometimes when you are an African American and you get too high on yourself -- well, Karen Carter thought she was a Caucasian," she said. "You have to always remember where you came from."

While the racial divide formed the basic demographic framework of the election, however, what played a critical role in the outcome was Jefferson's curious ability to appeal to white voters in suburban Jefferson Parish. A campaign led there by Sheriff Harry Lee blasted Carter for appearing in Spike Lee's Katrina documentary, in which she criticized the parish's law enforcement for turning back fleeing residents.

In a concession speech on Saturday night, Carter pledged to work with Jefferson, especially on post-Katrina rebuilding.

"I guess the people are happy with the status quo," she said.