(The Center Square) – Democratic state Rep. Chauna Banks and Republican state Sen. Blake Miguez will face off in a December runoff for Louisiana's 6th Congressional District after emerging from a crowded 10-candidate field Tuesday night.
Banks led with 19.4% of the vote, receiving 50,878 votes, while Miguez followed closely with 50,213 votes, or 19.2%, according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office.
Republican state Sen. Rick Edmonds finished a close third with 49,241 votes, just 972 votes behind Miguez.
The results set up a Dec. 12 runoff between two state lawmakers competing to represent a congressional district that underwent significant changes earlier this year.
All 541 precincts had reported as of 11:44 p.m. Tuesday, with unofficial turnout reaching 52.5%.
The closely contested race saw several candidates finish within striking distance of the runoff. Republican Stephen Wagley received 11% of the vote, while Democrats Lindsay "Rubia" Garcia and Pat Forbes received 13% and 9%, respectively.
The election followed a contentious redistricting battle that reshaped Louisiana's congressional map, transforming the 6th District from a majority-Black district into a majority-white district.