Louisiana's 8th congressional district

Louisiana's 8th congressional district is a defunct Congressional district and no longer exists after Louisiana lost its eighth Congressional seat in the 1990 U. S. Census. For its entire existence, it was based in Alexandria and included much of the north-central part of the state.

"LA-8" redirects here. For the state highway, see Louisiana Highway 8.

Beginning in 1972, the district was redrawn at the direction of Governor Edwin Edwards to take in liberal precincts in and around Baton Rouge in order to aid the return to Congress of Gillis Long.

List of members representing the district

The district was created following 1910 census.

Member (Residence)	Party	Years	Cong ress	Electoral history
District created		March 4, 1913
James Benjamin Aswell (Natchitoches)	Democratic	March 4, 1913 – March 16, 1931	63rd 64th 65th 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd	[data unknown/missing] Died.
Vacant		March 16, 1931 – May 12, 1931	72nd
John H. Overton (Marksville)	Democratic	May 12, 1931 – March 3, 1933		Elected to finish Aswell's term. Retired to run for U.S. senator.
Cleveland Dear (Alexandria)	Democratic	March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1937	73rd 74th	[data unknown/missing]
A. Leonard Allen (Winnfield)	Democratic	January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1953	75th 76th 77th 78th 79th 80th 81st 82nd	[data unknown/missing]
George S. Long (Pineville)	Democratic	January 3, 1953 – March 22, 1958	83rd 84th 85th	[data unknown/missing] Died.
Vacant		March 22, 1958 – January 3, 1959	85th
Harold B. McSween (Alexandria)	Democratic	January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1963	86th 87th	[data unknown/missing]
Gillis William Long (Alexandria)	Democratic	January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965	88th	Lost renomination.
Speedy O. Long (Jena)	Democratic	January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1973	89th 90th 91st 92nd	[data unknown/missing] Redistricted to the 5th district and retired. '
Gillis William Long (Alexandria)	Democratic	January 3, 1973 – January 20, 1985	93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th	[data unknown/missing] Died.
Vacant		January 20, 1985 – March 30, 1985	99th
Catherine Small Long (Alexandria)	Democratic	March 30, 1985 – January 3, 1987		Elected to finish her husband's term. Retired.
Clyde C. Holloway (Forest Hill)	Republican	January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1993	100th 101st 102nd	[data unknown/missing] Redistricted to the 6th district and lost re-election there.
District eliminated		January 3, 1993

References

• Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
• Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present