Paul Carmouche, the man who Democrats are hoping will be able to move the Shreveport-based district of retiring Rep. Jim McCrery (R) into their column this fall, will be on Capitol Hill on Wednesday for a fundraiser hosted by Bayou State Rep. Charlie Melancon (D).

The $250-per-person cocktail reception will take place at the Monocle Restaurant and is being co-hosted by some of Louisiana’s biggest names in the lobbying industry, including Tommy Boggs and former Sen. Bennett Johnston (D).

Carmouche, who served as Caddo Parish’s top prosecutor for almost 30 years, has emerged as the preferred candidate of state and national Democratic leaders. Democrats are hoping he can repeat the success the party has had in recent special elections in the South by flipping this open seat in a conservative district with a significant minority population.

The Republican field is harder to read. Wealthy trucking company executive Chris Gorman hit the airwaves early with broadcast and cable ads starting in late April, but McCrery has endorsed relatively unknown attorney Jeff Thompson. Physician and navy veteran John Fleming has also thrown his hat into the GOP primary contest. The primary will take place in early September.