Note: Part of a series of video interviews with 2010 congressional candidates who stop by the Roll Call office. Over the course of the next year, we will feature interviews from as many top races as possible.

Louisiana State Rep. Juan LaFonta is one of two Democrats who are challenging Republican Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao. Roll Call sat down with LaFonta during a recent visit to Washington.

Among all House incumbents in either party, Cao is the most obviously vulnerable to defeat in 2010. The first-term Republican and Vietnamese-American represents a black-majority, New Orleans-based district that typically is an overwhelmingly Democratic stronghold — and where he won in 2008 under extremely mitigating circumstances.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is keen on taking back the district and it may well be one of the few places they can play offense in what is shaping up to be a tough year for them.

LaFonta and fellow state Rep. Cedric Richmond have announced their candidacies for the Democratic nomination. Despite being the challenger, the winner of the Democratic nomination will be favored to beat Cao.

– John McArdle, Roll Call

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