By JIM BUTLER, Journal Contributing Writer

Two candidates in the redrawn House District 25, that now stretches from south and west of Alexandria to north and west of Natchitoches in a classic example of gerrymandering, have been raising funds for several months before recently announcing their campaigns.

Trish Leleux and Jason DeWitt have a couple of things in common. Both are Republicans in a district advantageously drawn by a GOP-dominated Legislature and both have name recognition of a sort.

Leleux became a minor celebrity in the Alexandria market as a radio personality before launching a successful real estate career.

DeWitt, small business owner and retired first responder, carries a surname legendary in District 25 — as in retired House Speaker Charlie — though it remains to be seen whether the current candidate brings that up.

Leleux’s coffers for the bid to succeed term-limited Lance Harris are filling with contributions from near and far; $100,000 in loans is the fuel for DeWitt’s election machine.

As of Dec. 31, DeWitt had $111,200 on hand, including the $100K he loaned his election fund. Leleux had $65,700, all in contributions. Both started fundraising last summer.

Louisiana law limits donors to $2,500 in any election period.

Leleux’s 64 contributors include the following $2,500 donations:

Dr. Mark Dodson, Dr. Katie Moffit, Natalie Monroe, Rob Ratcliff Jr., Roy O. Martin, all of Alexandria; Dee Garrett, Lafayette; Lane Grigsby, Baton Rouge; La Realtors PAC, Baton Rouge; Michael Leleux, Woodworth; Patrick Roche, Naples, Fla.; DM Voorhees, Nick Vorobek, Washington, DC; Womack & Sons Construction Group, Harrisonburg.

DeWitt’s 11 contributors as of Dec. 31 include the following at $2,500:

Grigsby; Sam Mahfouz, Barry Mitchell, Stanley Holdings, Alexandria; Jerry Mitchell, Boyce.

Full reports can be viewed at the La. Ethics Administration website.