Democratic congressional candidate Chauna Banks says her immediate priority is building support among voters rather than securing a formal endorsement from the Louisiana Democratic Party, leaving the question of an official partnership unresolved as both prepare for a five-week runoff campaign against Republican state Sen. Blake Miguez.
In a statement released Friday, Banks expressed appreciation for the party’s alleged offer of endorsement but said she believes her campaign is best served by concentrating on direct voter outreach in the weeks leading up to the December 12 election.
“I’m grateful to the Louisiana Democratic Party for its offer of endorsement and for the consideration it has shown my campaign,” Banks said. “After careful thought, I decided that, at this stage of the runoff, my focus should be on speaking directly with voters across the district and building support around the issues and experience I bring to this race.”
Banks emphasized that her decision was not intended as a rejection of the party or its members, adding that she welcomes support from Democrats, Republicans and independents.
The statement leaves open what role the state party might formally play in her campaign. Party leaders have told The Bayou Progressive that Louisiana Democrats still intend to organize and mobilize voters in support of Banks’ election, though the precise nature of any formal relationship between the party and her campaign has yet to be determined.
The distinction is significant as Democrats prepare for a competitive but challenging runoff in a congressional district that was substantially redrawn earlier this year.
Banks emerged as the leading vote-getter in Tuesday’s 10-candidate primary, receiving 50,878 votes, or 19.4% of the total. Miguez finished just 665 votes behind her, with 50,213 votes, or 19.2%, while fellow Republican state Sen. Rick Edmonds placed third with 49,241 votes. The narrow margins among the three leading candidates sent Banks and Miguez into a December runoff.
The outcome also produced an unexpected change in circumstances for the state Democratic Party, which had endorsed Lindsay “Rubia” Garcia over Banks and former state official Pat Forbes in August. Garcia finished fourth in Tuesday’s election with 12.8% of the vote, while Forbes placed sixth with 9.1%, leaving Banks as the only Democrat advancing to the runoff.
That earlier endorsement decision now gives way to a more immediate political challenge: unifying Democratic voters and assembling the resources necessary to compete against Miguez in a district widely considered favorable to Republicans.
Banks, a former East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council member, has consistently emphasized her willingness to work across political divisions and her experience serving constituents with differing political priorities. Her latest statement continues that message, positioning her campaign around issues and relationships with voters rather than formal party affiliations.
“This is a decision about what I believe is best for my campaign right now, not a rejection of the party or its members,” Banks said. “I welcome support from Democrats, Republicans, and independents, and I’m committed to serving everyone in the district.”
For Democrats, the runoff presents both an opportunity and a formidable challenge. Although Banks finished first on Tuesday, the six Republican candidates collectively received a clear majority of the primary vote. Winning in December will require her to retain Democratic support while attracting voters who backed other candidates or did not participate in the primary.
The state party’s plans to remain engaged suggest that the absence of a settled formal endorsement arrangement will not necessarily prevent Democrats from directing resources toward the race. Whether that activity ultimately takes place in coordination with Banks’ campaign or through separate party efforts remains to be determined.
Early voting begins November 28 and continues through December 5. The runoff election is scheduled for Saturday, December 12.
