NEW ORLEANS -- In a mostly black, heavily Democratic congressional district, Republicans are backing a little-known Vietnamese attorney in hopes he can defeat one of Louisiana's political giants -- a nine-term African-American congressman who has survived three years of simmering scandal and a federal indictment.

One Republican supporting Anh "Joseph" Cao against Democratic Rep. William Jefferson in Saturday's election takes reassurance in the success of Barack Obama.

The 41-year-old Cao has built name recognition with television commercials and energetic grassroots campaigning.

Jay Batt, a former New Orleans City Council member and a Republican, said it's clear to many in the New Orleans-area district that Jefferson has lost his clout in Washington and needs to be replaced as New Orleans continues its spotty recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

Jefferson's campaign did not return phone calls for this story.

In campaign literature and in a radio interview last week, Jefferson said Republicans are desperate for a victory after the November elections and that Cao would try to maintain failed Bush administration economic policies.

Cao and two other third-party candidates participated in a debate Sunday on WDSU.

Anchor Norman Robinson moderated the forum between Republican Joseph Cao, Libertarian Gregory Kahn and Green Party candidate Malik Rahim. Jefferson declined an invitation to participate.

Watch the entire debate here on WDSU.com:

2nd Congressional District Debate, Part 1
2nd Congressional District Debate, Part 2
2nd Congressional District Debate, Part 3
2nd Congressional District Debate, Part 4