Cao Says He's 'Here To Represent Everyone'
by Michelle Krupa - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

The morning after he shocked south Louisiana voters by unseating nine-term Democratic U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, Republican Anh "Joseph" Cao vowed to work across racial and party lines as an advocate for a district still struggling to rebuild.

"I'm here to represent everyone," Cao said outside Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church in eastern New Orleans, where he attended Mass on Sunday with his wife, Hieu "Kate" Hoang, and their two young daughters, Sophia and Betsy.

"Whether the person is a Democrat or a Republican, whether the person is African-American, black or white or Asian, my duty as their representative is to serve the needs of all constituents," he said.

Cao, a soft-spoken lawyer from Venetian Isles, managed his unlikely win by taking advantage of a remarkably low turnout in heavily black neighborhoods -- dipping to just 12 percent in areas that are more than 90 percent black -- as well as strong support from white voters and Republican groups.

With Jefferson's political might weakened as he awaits trial on federal bribery and corruption charges, Cao stopped short of attacking the incumbent for his legal problems, questioning instead his effectiveness and ethics.