Elections were held on November 2, 2010, to determine Louisiana's seven members of the United States House of Representatives.

[15] In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 72 percent of its vote to Republican nominee John McCain and 26 percent to Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

[14] In 2010 his opponent in the general election was Democratic nominee Myron Katz, who ran with the intention of raising awareness about energy conservation in homebuilding.

Former lawyer Arden Wells, who does not belong to a party recognized by the state of Louisiana, also ran.

[24] In the 2008 presidential election the district gave 75 percent of its vote to Democratic nominee Barack Obama and 23 percent to Republican nominee John McCain.

[23] In 2010 Cao's opponent in the general election was Democratic nominee Cedric Richmond, a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

[25] Anthony Marquize, a minister and businessman; and Jack Radosta, a carpenter and actor, ran as independent candidates.

[26] Ron Austin, a lawyer, also ran as an independent candidate[27] but ended his campaign in September 2010.

[28] Eugene Green, the former chief of staff to U.S. Representative William J. Jefferson; Gary Johnson, a former research director for the United States House Committee on Rules; and Juan LaFonta, a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, also sought the Democratic nomination.

[30] Karen Carter Peterson, a member of the Louisiana State Senate, said in July 2010 that she would not seek the Democratic nomination.

[40] Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the race as "Leans Democratic".

[3] In November 2010 The Rothenberg Political Report rated the race as "Democrat Favored".

[19] Cao ran for Attorney General of Louisiana in 2011, but ended his campaign in September of that year.

[49] Hunt Downer, a former speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives; and Kristian Magar, an oil field manager, also sought the Republican nomination.

[50] Both parties had attempted to recruit Scott Angelle, the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, but he declined their overtures.

[7] In October 2010 The Cook Political Report rated the race as "Likely Republican".

[4] In November 2010 The Rothenberg Political Report rated the race as "Republican Favored".

[58] In 2010 his opponent in the general election was Democratic nominee David Melville, a minister.

Steven Gavi, a retail manager, also sought the Democratic nomination.

[66] In 2010 Alexander's opponent in the general election was independent candidate Tom Gibbs, a U.S. Army veteran.

[68] Todd Slavant, the owner of a construction and property management company, also sought the Republican nomination.

[70] Prior to the election FiveThirtyEight's forecast gave Alexander a 100 percent chance of winning.

[19] Alexander was again re-elected in 2012,[72] and resigned in 2013 to become secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

[75] In 2010 his opponent in the general election was Democratic nominee Merritt McDonald Sr., a retired engineer.

[84] According to Louisiana law, candidates who are unopposed are declared elected and their names do not appear on the ballot.