Well now!

“CNN) — Nine-term Democratic Rep. William Jefferson, who has been battling scandals and a federal indictment for the past three years, appears to have lost his bid for re-election.

Republican challenger Anh “Joseph” Cao, an attorney and community organizer, has defeated Jefferson in the 2nd Congressional district race, according to The Associated Press.

With 79 percent of precincts reporting, Cao had 52.9 percent of the vote to Jefferson’s 43.2 percent.

Louisiana’s 4th District race with Democrat Paul Carmouche and Republican John Fleming is a virtual dead heat with each garnering 48 percent of the vote with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Both men are vying to replace retiring 10-term Republican Rep. Jim McCrery, a top-ranking Republican on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Elections in the districts were delayed after Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana in September, setting up what should be the last two federal contests of 2008 on Saturday. Both races had two other contenders who drew a small percentage of votes.

Jefferson has pleaded not guilty to 16 criminal counts of racketeering, bribery, money laundering and obstruction of justice. He denies any wrongdoing.

In 2005, Jefferson’s private homes in Washington and New Orleans were raided, and FBI agents say they found $90,000 in cash stashed in one of his freezers.

Officials say the money was part of a payment in marked bills from an FBI informant in a transaction captured on videotape. Jefferson also is accused of soliciting and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes for himself and his family in exchange for promoting their products and services to countries in Africa.”

Jefferson’s attorney’s have succeeded in getting his trial delayed until Jan at the earliest. Meanwhile it appears the voters did what the Democratic leadership failed to do ever since Jefferson was indicted.

Kick him to to the curb.