It's a runoff race for congress pitting a longtime incumbent, congressman William Jefferson, versus a political newcomer, former television anchor Helena Moreno.

Saturday's outcome on the democratic side of the race comes as no surprise to Eyewitness News political analyst Clancy DuBos.

"They ran 1 and 2 the entire time of the campaign, and the challengers to congressman Jefferson, the African-American challengers, were not able to articulate a message that peeled enough black votes off Jefferson and onto themselves,” DuBos said. “I think Jefferson would have to be a favorite, but the reason we run elections is because favorites often don't win."

So what now? Both Jefferson and Moreno face a 30-day schedule of campaigning across the second district, with Jefferson saying his federal indictment on bribery and racketeering charges won't have an effect on his campaign.

"I just want to say that it hasn't been in my way now to get the job done for our people, and it won't be in our way in the future," Jefferson said.

Moreno disagrees.

"Congressman Jefferson is an incredibly brilliant man, he truly is. Unfortunately, though, because of his troubles, he really can't effectively represent our district."

Both candidates also say they are looking at what issues they would take up if elected to the congressional seat. Jefferson is focusing on continuing recovery needs.

"For the things needed for our recovery to make our place secure with levees and so on-- $50 million for law enforcement, $7 billion on the levees, $14 million on the road home program."

For Moreno coastal restoration is the top priority.

"First legislative issue -- we must fight for coastal restoration. That is our first line of defense when it comes to hurricanes. We must kick and scream about that when it comes to Congress," Moreno said.

Yet both campaigns face unique challenges in this race. DuBos says Jefferson's legal troubles could create costly doubt among voters, while Moreno will have to reach out heavily to both women and African-American voters who make up the majority of voters in the second district.

"I think going forward, when it's just down to her and Jefferson, she has to go out and get probably at least 20 percent of the black vote to have a fighting chance against Jefferson,” DuBos said. “That's doable. It's not easy, but it's doable."

One factor that could help will be acquiring endorsements from the other candidates in the race who did not make it to the runoff.

Jefferson and Moreno both say they have called and plan to meet with those candidates later this week.