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Before heading to the floor during the first few days of the Democratic National Convention last week, state Sens. Gary Carter and Ed Price would often have lunch together in their hotel.
They shared stories about family and golf and the politics of the upper chamber in Baton Rouge when not networking or catching up with familiar faces.
Carter, a delegate, and Price, a credentialed guest of the state party, have unique perspectives on the transition Democrats are facing in Louisiana.
If all goes as expected this cycle, the next term will host a second Louisiana Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, due to redistricting.
The change in the 6th Congressional District, anchored by Baton Rouge, would also likely give the state its second membership in the Congressional Black Caucus.
Price has been an elected official for more than four decades, kicking off his service roughly around the same time William Jefferson was elected in 1980 as the first Black congressman since Reconstruction.
That was when Louisiana had eight seats in the House. Over time, Price watched seats disappear alongside population, until the 2010 Census left the congressional delegation with just six members.
In 2016, Carter was elected for the first time to the state Legislature.
He had an enviable viewpoint to watch his uncle, Congressman Troy Carter of New Orleans, make his way from the state Senate to the 2nd Congressional District in 2021.
Since then, Troy Carter has been Louisiana’s lone Black voice (and lone Democratic voice) in the delegation.
Today, he’s also second vice chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Among many others, consultant Telley Madina of New Orleans, the president of Madina Group Consulting, visited with Price and Gary Carter as delegates and others readied themselves for the Convention floor this week.
In a later interview, Madina explained that for decades the delegation’s lone Black member has been the only place some Black residents feel they can turn, regardless of their congressional district.
Adding a second member would help spread out the workload, Madina said, but it could also inspire more young people from communities of color to get involved in politics as Democratic professionals.
More representation means more opportunities.
New Orleans consultant Ike Spears agreed when asked about the coming shift, saying, “You immediately double the number of congressmen who are fighting for the underserved communities in Louisiana.”
Senate and Governmental Affairs Chair Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge, the heavy favorite in the redrawn 6th Congressional District, said it’s simply time that a third of the delegation reflects the proportion of minority voters in the state.
“I think that’s going to be good for the delegation, because you’re going to have all voices from Louisiana being represented,” said Fields, a former member of Congress. “So when the six of us take positions, it’s going to be representative of the people we represent.” 
Former state Sen. Elbert Guillory, a Black Republican and the officially endorsed GOP candidate in the 6th, said if he’s elected he would seek membership in the Congressional Black Caucus.
(Those dynamics wouldn’t be new. Black Republicans claim they have a fraught history with the Congressional Black Caucus, with some claiming the Caucus ostracized them and others pointedly refusing to join.)
“The people of CD6 should have a voice at every table of power. Obviously, we disagree on many policy issues. I intend to disagree agreeably to make our voice heard at that table,” Guillory said, adding, “Minority voters will see that not all Republicans have tails. Not all Republicans have horns.”
Aside from voting power and increased opportunities for political professionals, an additional Black congressman could help reshape the public dialogue about traditional issues of interest that have suffered from not having louder voices involved, suggested state Rep. Edmond Jordan, who chairs the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus.
“Issues related to poverty, education, health care and economic prosperity, to name a few, cross racial lines,” said Jordan, “but these are issues that Black Americans have championed for quite some time.”
Consider again opportunities for political professionals. Albert Samuels, who chairs the political science department at Southern University, wisely noted the related jobs may extend well beyond this congressional cycle — should Fields secure his victory.
That in turn would create an opening in the state Senate.
The resulting special election would likely attract multiple Black Democrats, including one or two currently serving in the state House. Should a representative win that Senate seat, yet another special election would be needed in the House.
(If just by chance a member of the Baton Rouge Metro Council takes that hypothetically-open House seat, the pattern would continue.)
Plus, a Fields victory would give Democrats a seat in the U.S. House they were not anticipating prior to the last Census.
To be certain, Republicans are favored to hold the chamber, but it could always come down to the wire.
And as the only House seat that at least one major prognosticator considers a safe Democratic flip, the 6th could be important to the overall math. 
That math is the math. That mantra was heard over and over as lawmakers debated the need to make one-third of Louisiana’s congressional delegation match its population mix. It’s still the mantra as that wish becomes a reality.
For Democrats, two is always better than one in political math, whether it means Fields joining Troy Carter in Congress or Price meeting Gary Carter for lunch. Possibly, that’s the message emerging from the Democratic National Convention last week: there’s always strength in numbers.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @ LaPoliticsNow.

The Morgan City Council devoted much of its Tuesday meeting to learning about and approving upcoming events, from a rodeo to a breast cancer awareness event to boxing.
But the council also introduced ordinances that continue what’s starting to look like a widespread effort to control stray animals, especially feral cats.
The animal ordinances sound like small-town news. But the problem is being taken seriously.
The Berwick council passed an ordinance Aug. 13 to prohibit the feeding of strays on public or business property. First, council members heard testimony about flea infestations in vehicle carpets and Berwick Elementary classrooms, ripped up flower beds, nasty odors, and even an attack by a stray cat on a town resident.
The Berwick council passed an ordinance that was amended to allow the feeding of strays on residential property, as long as the property’s owner is doing the feeding. The only complaints came from a couple of residents who want the council to take stronger action.
Morgan City’s council introduced three ordinances. The first defines both cats and dogs as animals over three months of ages. A stray is “an unlicensed, domestic or feral cat or dog, running at large and unaccompanied by an owner.”
Feeding is the placing of cat or dog food “which may result in cats or dogs congregating thereon on a regular basis,” whether on the ground or in a feeder.
A second ordinance sets the penalties for feeding a stray or feral cat or dog. A first offense brings a $50 fine, a second offense $100 and a third offense $200.
The third ordinance bans setting out food on residential property as well as publicly accessible land. It would create an exemption for partners of Morgan City government involved in a trap, neuter and release program.
If the ordinances follow the normal course, they’ll come up for a public hearing and passage vote at the council’s Sept. 24 meeting.
Among the upcoming events discussed Tuesday:
—The St. Mary Outreach-United Way’s Pumpkin Patch at the Petting Zoo will be Oct. 21-25. The event takes the form of field trips for local students and includes decorating a pumpkin, feeding the farm animals, games and cookie decorating.
Coordinator Jessica Dubois said 1,400 youngsters visited the Petting Zoo during last year’s Pumpkin Patch.
—Another rodeo is scheduled for Sept. 21 at the horse arena on Youngs Road.
—Colleen Hammonds of Roots & Ribbons came bearing pink garlands for the necks of council members, reminders that the second Puttin’ on the Pink run and walk is set for Oct. 5 at Patterson’s Morey Park.
Roots & Ribbons raises money to support local breast cancer survivors. The first Puttin’ on the Pink event last year drew hundreds of participants.
—The Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, the state Department of Health and Skinner’s Barber Shop will again team up for the Barbershop Bash 9 a.m.-noon at the shop, 1001 Railroad Ave. The event offers free prostate and colorectal screenings and biometric screenings, along with food, music and more.
Information promoting the event said the cancer center reviewed data in 2013 and found a high mortality rate among Black men in St. Mary Parish. In the last 10 years, the bash has screened 714 participants, 194 of whom had never been screened, more than a third of whom were uninsured, and more than half of whom had no primary care physician. The screenings led to the detection of five cancers.
Clarence Robinson told the council that his father was found to have cancer when in his 60s and lived to age 91.
“Some men are dying of apathy,” Robinson said, “just not knowing what’s going on.”
—Efrem Randle asked the council to support his EBP Community Boxing Program. Randle said he isn’t asking the city for money, but he’d like support as he searches for sites where boys and girls 8-18 can learn about boxing.
While other sports offer guidance for a limited time, Randle said, a boxing club allows for a mentorship bond that can last eight to 10 years.
Mayor Lee Dragna said the stage at the old M.D. Shannon Elementary building, which the city owns now, is under consideration as a site for the club. Randle is hoping to have clubs in Morgan City, Patterson, Franklin and elsewhere.
—Police Chief Chad M. Adams said the Police Department and Doric Lodge No. 87 have scheduled the annual National Night Out event for Oct. 15, 5-8 p.m., at Lawrence Park.
The Night Out will include a fishing game, prizes, fun jumps and petting zoo animals.
—Morgan City Main Street upcoming events include the Boat to Table Dinner ($25 per person) will be Sept. 28 and Trunk or Treat Under the Bridge will be Oct. 26. The Christmas Festival will begin with the traditional lighting of the Spirit of Morgan City shrimp boat on Thanksgiving night.
Also Tuesday:
—The council approved Councilman the Rev. Ron Bias’ request for a sign to be placed at Norman Field to honor the athletes who competed for Sumpter Williams High when it was a segregated high school for Black students. The sign will name the field at the park “Sumpter Williams Blue Devil Field.”
—The council welcomed a second member of its young people’s advisory council. High school student Molly Jo Doiron joined Lucy Kincade, who is a member of the state government’s Louisiana Youth Advisory Council.
—The council heard from two council candidates in the Nov. 5 primary. Eriq Blanchard is running against incumbent Lou Tamporello in District 5, and Jean Paul Bourg is running for the District 2 seat held by Bonnie Leonard.

Thursday, Aug. 29
1-6 p.m. Artists Guild Unlimited 60th Annual Show and Sale (Everett Street Gallery)
5:15 p.m. Ribbon-cutting ceremony
5-10 p.m. POP ride bracelets ($35)
5-10 p.m. Carnival (Mitchell Brothers Amusements)

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the Police Department at 985-380-4605.
Wednesday, Aug. 28
6:34 a.m. 900 block of Railroad Avenue; Welfare concern.
7:02 a.m. 3300 block of Youngs Road; 911 hang up.
8:20 a.m. 900 block of Fig Street; Alarm.
8:25 a.m. 600 block of Arenz Street; Remove subject.
9:31 a.m. 3100 block of La. 70; Complaint.
9:55 a.m. U.S. 90 West/Martin Luther King Exit; Complaint.
10:11 a.m. 6000 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical.
11:39 a.m. 1200 block of Onstead Street; Disturbance.
12:21 p.m. 6900 block of La. 182; Traffic incident.
12:25 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
1:03 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
1:50 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Disturbance.
1:52 p.m. Youngs Road; Criminal damage to property.
1:58 p.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Animal complaint.
2:02 p.m. 700 block of Federal Avenue; Alarm.
2:23 p.m. Clothilde/Ninth streets; Vehicle accident.
2:52 p.m. Freret/Alabama streets; Traffic incident.
3:20 p.m. 1000 block of Garden Street; Criminal damage to property.
3:34 p.m. 1100 block of Grace Street; Assistance.
4:23 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Civil matter.
4:28 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.
4:39 p.m. Onstead/Maple streets; Fight.
4:52 p.m. 1100 block of Federal Avenue; Disturbance.
5:17 p.m. 600 block of Shannon Street; Medical.
5:20 p.m. 800 block of Franklin Street; Fire.
5:30 p.m. 500 block of General McArthur Street; Remove subject.
6:38 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Juvenile complaint.
6:53 p.m. U.S. 90 East; Two arrests.
7:56 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
9:01 p.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Suspicious vehicle.
10:06 p.m. Sixth/Greenwood streets; Suspicious subject.
10:33 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Animal complaint.
10:50 p.m. 500 block of Front Street; Alarm.
11:01 p.m. Federal Avenue/Greenwood Street; Suspicious subject.
11:57 p.m. 900 block of Cottonwood Street; Alarm.
Thursday, Aug. 29
1:13 a.m. 1100 block of Walnut Drive; Medical.
1:15 a.m. 900 block of Short Street; Medical.
5:01 a.m. 1000 block of Second Street; Arrest.