1986Final results
1986 election for Louisiana's 7th District
U.S. House · Louisiana
James Hayes (D) won with 57.0% of the vote, defeating Margaret Lowenthal (D) by 14.1 points.
James HayesDemocrat · winner
57.0%109,205
Margaret LowenthalDemocrat
43.0%82,293
191,498 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1986
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
James HayesNo Republican
$850.9K
Raised by the campaign
—
$847K
Spent by the campaign
—
$4K
Cash on hand
—
Other candidates' campaigns: Margaret Lowenthal $352.7K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986