New Orleans: US Republican William Jefferson overcame the stigma of a federal bribery indictment in Louisiana's Democratic primary, garnering enough votes in his New Orleans-based congressional district to secure a spot in a November 4 runoff.

Jefferson, seeking his 10th term in Congress, faces a December trial on charges that he took bribes, laundered money and misused his congressional office for business dealings in Africa.

With all of the votes counted from Saturday's primary, Jefferson led with 25 per cent of the vote and faces a runoff with former broadcaster Helena Moreno, who got 20 per cent of the vote.

Jefferson sounded confident as he addressed a few dozen family members and supporters at a restaurant in a section of eastern New Orleans still struggling to recover from Hurricane Katrina three years ago. "We look forward to a rigorous campaign but a successful outcome," Jefferson said.

As he had throughout the campaign, Jefferson insisted he remains an effective member of Congress, and he called questions on whether the indictment has damaged that effectiveness "pointless."

A victory in the November 4 runoff would send Jefferson to a December 6 general election in the heavily Democratic district against a little-known Republican.

Longtime New Orleans pollster Silas Lee said Jefferson, the first black elected to Congress from Louisiana since the Reconstruction Era after the American Civil War, remains popular among a strong core of supporters in the district.

"He comes across as someone who the ordinary citizen can relate to," Lee said.
Source : PTI