Obama names former Dem Rep. Cazayoux as U.S. Attorney

President Barack Obama on Wednesday named former Rep. Don Cazayoux (D) as a U.S. Attorney in Louisiana.

Cazayoux won a special election in May 2008 to replace GOP Rep. Richard Baker (La.) but was defeated in the fall by Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.)

Since his defeat, Cazayoux's name had been circulated as potential candidate to take the U.S. Attorney's post for the Middle District of Louisiana. In May of last year, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) recommended that Obama pick Cazayoux for the position.

Obama named six others to U.S. Attorney posts on Wednesday.

"For their diligence and relentless pursuit of justice, I have named these seven distinguished individuals to serve as U.S. Attorneys,” Obama said in a statement. "They all possess a keen understanding of the law, and I am grateful for their commitment to public service and willingness to advocate on behalf of the American people."

The centrist Cazayoux was the first Democrat to represent his Baton Rouge-area district since the 1970s, but was one of only a handful of Democratic incumbents to lose in the 2008 elections, which was a landslide for the party.

Baker, a long-time lawmaker, had resigned from Congress earlier in 2008 to take a lobbying post.

After leaving Congress, Cazayoux had served as an assistant district attorney.

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