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Louisiana’s closed primary elections that are now scheduled for May 16 and June 27 next year appear to be shaping up as primarily Republican affairs. Democrats haven’t announced any candidates for congressional races on those dates. Democrats were hoping former Gov. John Bel Edwards would be a Senate candidate, but he declined to run. State Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, was also mentioned but said, “I just don’t think federal politics are what I want.” U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, is seeking a third six-year term. His main challenger is GOP state Treasurer John Fleming. The Center Square reported in July that Fleming has attempted to frame Cassidy as out of step with conservative voters and is in line too often with Democrats. Fleming, a former four-term congressman and founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, has slammed Cassidy’s vote to convict President Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and his support for the bipartisan infrastructure law, calling both positions betrayals of the Republican base. Louisiana has actually been a major benefactor of that infrastructure bill. State Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, announced in mid-June that he would also be challenging Cassidy. In his announcement he said, “I’m running for the U,S, Senate because Bill Cassidy sucks.” Miguez is also branding himself as “the MAGA (Make America Great Again) choice.” The Advocate said Miguez has spearheaded Louisiana’s passage of permitless concealed carry laws and last year sponsored legislation to ban “sanctuary” immigration policies. Other candidates in the race are Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, St. Tammany Parish Council member Kathy Seiden, state Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, and Sammy Wyatt, an official at LSU Health Shreveport. Skrmetta said he chaired each of the Trump campaigns in Louisiana. He said Trump clearly won the 2020 election. “My dedication to the president’s policies have been unwavering,” Skrmetta said. “I think he is a brilliant man, a brilliant economist who shows his love for America. I can’t think of a better man for the country.” In a 4WWL report, Seiden said, “I’m running because Washington has lost touch with the real challenges families face every single day. As a mother of four, I’ve lived those struggles. We need a fighter who stands unapologetically for faith, family, and the American way of life.” Seiden added, “I want voters to see who I am, no filters… I think voters are ready for someone they can relate to who understands what they go through every day, not another career politician.” Emerson told The Advocate, “We have a lot of issues wrong with Louisiana and the United States. Sometimes those choices are hard but have to be made. I know how to work with any of my colleagues, and I have a strong conservative voting record.” “It’s clear that Louisiana Republicans have grown frustrated with our incumbent senator, and they’re looking for a fresh new voice, and we want to make sure that we have someone in there who can get the job done,” Emerson said. Campaign finance data shows Cassidy has $9.5 million in the bank, by far the most of any candidate in the race. But two other candidates, state Sen. Blake Miguez and Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming, each have more than $2 million. With six GOP challengers and possibly more to come, Cassidy stands a good chance of making the Republican June 27 runoff. Some members of other parties think Cassidy is still the best GOP choice. That is why some Democrats are changing their voter registration to No Party so they would be able to vote in the Republican closed primary. While Cassidy has toned down criticism of Trump in recent months and said he would work with him if re-elected, Fleming argues Cassidy’s impeachment vote alone should disqualify him from winning the Republican primary. The Advocate said on Aug. 3 that no one can say for certain whether Trump will favor one candidate or when he might do so. But everyone agrees that any endorsement from him will pack a punch. Cassidy said he supported Trump’s Cabinet nominees, provided a decisive vote for the president’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act and works directly with Trump. “I’m the only one who actually speaks to the president,” he said during a news conference. We can expect some major fireworks during what appears to be an upcoming all-GOP campaign.
