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Cleo Fields Won’t Seek Reelection After Louisiana Redistricting

Democratic Rep. Cleo Fields announced in July he will not seek reelection, citing significant changes to his district's boundaries. He plans to return to the Louisiana Legislature instead of running for the House.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled a core part of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, forcing Louisiana to redraw districts. The Black voting age population in Fields' district dropped from 53% to 25% under the new lines.
Scotlandville, a nearly all-Black community of 10,000, was shuffled into a majority-white district for the second time during the same representative's term. Residents now fear losing their advocate in Congress.
Dakasha Caulfield Leonard, a funeral home operator, expressed worry about losing representation. She said, "If he doesn't speak up and carry our voices, there's nobody else to do that for us."
The ruling triggered cascading changes across the American South, reminiscent of 1996 redistricting battles. Press Robinson, a voting rights advocate, warned these methods disenfranchise people of color: "They've done it again.

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