State Sen. Don Cravins Jr. is considering a run for Congress in the 7^th District, possibly as an independent. “Right now, my wife and I are talking about it,” he says. “I’m being contacted by the DCCC [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee]. People are still approaching me, even some Republicans in the district, asking me to consider running. I’m considering it.” Thus far, no candidate has emerged to face off against Republican Congressman Charles Boustany, who is up for re-election this fall. 

Cravins says he is also considering the possibly of running as an independent, which would allow him to go directly on the November ballot, bypassing a possible party primary in October. The 35-year-old state Sen. says he has considered switching his party affiliation for some time now because of his more conservative pro-life, pro-gun views. Cravins says conservative Democrats have the issue of getting labeled with a more liberal national party, especially in a Congressional race. “When you’re a Democratic candidate for Congress during a presidential election,” Cravins adds, “you get the baggage of the national party.” Also weighing on Cravins’ mind is a history of lackluster Democratic Party support for African American candidates in major state elections. In 2004, Cravins Jr. watched as his father’s run for the 7th District seat failed to generate much backing from the Democratic Party establishment, which favored his white Democratic rival, state Sen. Willie Mount.

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