Rep. William Jefferson (LA-2) is in trouble. Not only did federal agents recently find a stash of money in his freezer, but now he faces a political challenge by a Democratic State Senator in Louisiana.

From the Times-Picayune:

State Sen. Derrick Shepherd, D-Marrero, announced on Monday that he will challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, for the Second Congressional District seat in the Nov. 7 primary.

Shepherd, a 36-year-old lawyer, cited an ongoing federal investigation of Jefferson as one of the reasons to run, saying residents in Orleans and Jefferson parishes that the district include need to have a representative focused on post-Katrina needs.

“Congressman Bill Jefferson has become so ensnarled in scandal that he has lost the ability to deal effectively with the crisis,” Shepherd said.

“The needs of nearly one million people are more important than the desires of any single individual, including Bill Jefferson.”

Jefferson has not been charged with a crime as part of a probe looking into allegations that he engaged in a bribery scheme to promote projects in West Africa. He has said he did not commit any crime and that he will seek a ninth term for the seat he has held since 1990.

Shepherd, who represents areas in both the east and west banks of Orleans and Jefferson parishes, said residents are “in a desperate struggle” to get federal aide and services to rebuild.

“I know what must be done and I will be single-minded in the battle to get the federal aid we need to rebuild,” he said.

A former prosecutor in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish, Shepherd worked in Jefferson’s campaign before being elected to represent the 87th District in the state House in 2004. He was elected to the state Senate’s 3rd District seat last year.

DoubleSpeak will keep you posted on this race.