Rep. Julie Emerson challenges Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana Senate primary

Louisiana State Rep. Julie Emerson, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy in the 2026 race. Emerson, 37, emphasizes her conservative legislative record, including sponsoring tax reforms, advocating for the LA GATOR private school voucher program, and leading the shift to a closed party primary system. She criticizes Cassidy's vulnerability stemming from his 2021 vote to convict President Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial, a point of attack shared by other Republican candidates in the crowded field such as State Treasurer John Fleming, State Sen. Blake Miguez, Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, and St. Tammany Parish Council member Kathy Seiden. Emerson positions herself as a results-driven conservative focused on infrastructure investment, job creation, and effective policymaking to "help rebuild America’s confidence." Her campaign message underscores the need for a senator who can deliver tangible outcomes rather than rhetoric, aiming to capture the conservative electorate that propelled Governor Jeff Landry's recent primary victory. This election marks Louisiana's first Republican party primary for U.S. Senate in 50 years, signaling a significant shift in the state's political landscape.