2026 United States Senate election in Louisiana
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The 2026 United States Senate election in Louisiana will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Louisiana. Incumbent Republican senator Bill Cassidy, who was re-elected in 2020, is running for re-election to a third term. Cassidy's vocal opposition to former president Donald Trump has led to speculation that Republicans will field a primary challenge against him.[1]
Following the enactment of House Bill 17 in 2024, this will be the first U.S. Senate election in Louisiana to utilize closed partisan primaries instead of a single blanket primary since 1974.[2]
Background
[edit]Change of electoral system
[edit]In January 2024, governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 17, sponsored by representative Julie Emerson, which eliminated the top-two Louisiana primary system in favor of closed partisan primaries in elections for Congress, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Public Service Commission, and the Supreme Court. The bill also indicated the use of runoff elections if no candidate receives a majority in their respective primary. The law is to take effect beginning with the 2026 elections, making this election the first in which Louisiana will elect a U.S. senator using this system since 1974; the top-two primary was first implemented in congressional elections in 1978.[2]
Potential challenge to Cassidy
[edit]Senator Bill Cassidy, who has held this seat since 2015, has gained significant notoriety within the Republican Party for being a vocal critic of former president Donald Trump. He denounced the storming of the U.S. Capitol and accused the participants of sedition, while voting to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Trump and his supporters have attempted to overturn.[3] Cassidy was one of seven Senate Republicans to later vote to convict Trump of incitement of insurrection during his second impeachment trial, for which the Republican Party of Louisiana publicly censured him.[4] Additionally, during Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, Cassidy made numerous public statements denouncing his candidacy and calling for his withdrawal, particularly in reference to Trump's four criminal indictments.[5][6]
Cassidy's outspoken opposition to Trump and his policies has led political analysts to believe him vulnerable to a primary challenge from the right wing of the party. Early speculation of potential candidates included Clay Higgins, a Congressman and law enforcement officer who has gained popularity among Republicans for his far-right positions and support of Trump.[7]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Bill Cassidy, incumbent U.S. senator[1]
- John Fleming, Louisiana State Treasurer, former U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 4th congressional district, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016[8]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Clay Higgins, U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 3rd congressional district[9]
- Blake Miguez, state senator[10][9]
- Eric Skrmetta, member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission from the 1st district (decision expected in the 1st half of 2025)[11]
Potential
[edit]- Garret Graves, outgoing U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 6th congressional district[9][11]
- Mike Strain, Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner[10]
Endorsements
[edit]Individuals
- Drew Brees, former New Orleans Saints player[10]
- Eddie Rispone, member of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee[10]
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Potential
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Hilburn, Greg (January 30, 2024). "Bill Cassidy discusses reelection plans while blistering Louisiana closed party primary law". The Times. Shreveport. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ a b Muller, Wesley (January 19, 2024). "Gov. Landry, lawmakers disrupt how Louisiana has voted for nearly 50 years". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Atoms, Greg (January 8, 2021). "Senator Bill Cassidy Says Pro-Trump Rioters Committed Sedition". KEEL. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ Mena, Kelly; Merica, Dan (February 13, 2021). "Louisiana Republican Party censures Cassidy following vote to convict Trump". CNN. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ Concepcion, Summer (August 20, 2023). "GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy says Trump should drop out of the 2024 presidential race". NBC News. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ Yang, Maya (March 17, 2024). "Republican Bill Cassidy derides Trump and calls 2024 race 'sorry state of affairs'". The Guardian. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Bridges, Tyler (January 28, 2024). "Bill Cassidy faces uphill battle to win reelection but independents can still vote for him". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Purdy, Domenic (December 4, 2024). "Treasurer John Fleming announces bid for Bill Cassidy's Senate seat in 2026". WBRZ-TV. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c Vakil, Caroline (November 25, 2024). "Cassidy's vote to impeach Trump could imperil his reelection". The Hill.
- ^ a b c d Hilburn, Greg (November 21, 2024). "Senator Bill Cassidy flexes 2026 election muscles ahead of potential MAGA challengers". The Times. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Bridges, Tyler (December 4, 2024). "Why Trump ally John Fleming is trying to unseat Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a fellow Republican". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
Skrmetta is expected to decide whether to run during the first half of 2025, a spokesperson for him said.
- ^ Hutchinson, Piper (December 18, 2023). "Outgoing Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards won't rule out another run for office". Louisiana Illuminator.
External links
[edit]Official campaign websites