2026 United States Senate election in Louisiana ← 2020 November 3, 2026 2032 →
The2026 United States Senate election in Louisiana will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of theUnited States Senate to represent the state ofLouisiana . Arunoff election will be held on December 12, 2026 if no candidate wins a majority. Partyprimary elections will be held on April 18, 2026, with a runoff on May 30 if no candidate wins a majority in the primary. IncumbentRepublican senatorBill Cassidy , who was re-elected in2020 , is running for re-election to a third term. Cassidy's vote to convictDonald Trump inhis second impeachment trial has led toprimary challenges 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 party primaries instead of a singleblanket primary since2010 .[ 2] [ 3]
Change of electoral system [ edit ] In January 2024, governorJeff Landry signed House Bill 17, sponsored by representativeJulie Emerson , which eliminated the top-twoLouisiana primary system in favor of partisan primaries in elections forCongress , theBoard of Elementary and Secondary Education , thePublic Service Commission , and theSupreme Court . Unaffiliated voters may vote in the primaries, but not members of other parties, including theIndependent Party of Louisiana . The bill also indicated the use ofrunoff 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 since2010 ; the top-two primary was first implemented in congressional elections in1978 .[ 2]
Primary challenge to Cassidy [ edit ] SenatorBill Cassidy , who has held this seat since 2015, has gained significant notoriety within the Republican Party for being a vocal critic ofpresident Donald Trump . He denounced thestorming of the U.S. Capitol and accused the participants ofsedition , whilevoting to certify the results of the2020 presidential election , which Trump and his supporters haveattempted to overturn .[ 4] insurrection during hissecond impeachment trial , for which theRepublican Party of Louisiana publicly censured him.[ 5] 2024 presidential campaign , Cassidy made numerous public statements denouncing his candidacy and calling for his withdrawal, particularly in reference to Trump'sfour criminal indictments .[ 6] [ 7]
Cassidy's outspoken opposition to President Trump and his policies has led political analysts to believe him vulnerable to aprimary challenge from the right wing of the party. Early speculation of potential candidates includedClay Higgins , a Congressman and law enforcement officer who has gained popularity among Republicans for his support of Trump.[ 3] [ 8]
Publicly expressed interest [ edit ] Bill Cassidy
U.S. senators State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Organizations John Fleming
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025 Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand Bill Cassidy (R) $9,287,220 $2,185,574 $8,739,323 John Fleming (R) $4,416,119 $2,273,540 $2,142,652 Chris Holder (R) $7,600 $3,500 $4,100 Blake Miguez (R) $1,821,573 $78,986 $1,742,587 Sammy Wyatt (R) $132,956 $110,739 $22,217 Source:Federal Election Commission [ 29]
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Bill John Blake Eric Other Undecided JMC Analytics & Polling[ 30] [ A] October 15–17, 2025 610 (LV) ± 4.0% 23% 25% – – 17%[ b] 35% 29% 40% – – – 31% Ragnar Research Partners (R)[ 31] [ B] April 14–16, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 45% 28% – – 3%[ c] 34% JMC Analytics & Polling[ 32] [ A] February 24–26, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 27% 40% – – – 33% 27% 29% 6% 2% – 36%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Bill Clay John Julia Blake Undecided Trafalgar Group (R)[ 33] [ C] March 6–10, 2025 1,068 (LV) ± 2.9% 24% 31% 17% 20% 4% 4% 33% – – 55% – 12% 28% 39% 25% – 3% 5% 28% 42% 25% – – 5% 32% 61% – – – 7% 34% – 51% – – 15% 37% – – – 42% 21%
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Bill Clay John Garret Eric Undecided Trafalgar Group (R)[ 33] [ C] August 12–14, 2024 1,062 (LV) ± 2.9% 27% 36% 12% 23% 2% – 36% 44% 16% – 4% – – 45% 22% 29% 4% – 41% – – 59% – – 43% 57% – – – – – 56% – 44% – – 48% – 52% – – –
Publicly expressed interest [ edit ] Third-party candidates [ edit ] Jamie "Kim" LaBranche, write-in candidate[ 36] ^a b c Key: ^ "Includes five candidates, either announced or anticipated" ^ Randall Arrington with 3% Partisan clients ^a b Poll sponsored by Fleming's campaign ^ Poll sponsored by Cassidy's campaign ^a b Poll conducted on behalf of Clay Higgins ^a b Hilburn, Greg (January 30, 2024)."Bill Cassidy discusses reelection plans while blistering Louisiana closed party primary law" .The Times Shreveport . RetrievedMarch 31, 2024 . ^a b Muller, Wesley (January 19, 2024)."Gov. Landry, lawmakers disrupt how Louisiana has voted for nearly 50 years" .Louisiana Illuminator . RetrievedMarch 31, 2024 . ^a b 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 . RetrievedMarch 31, 2024 . ^ Atoms, Greg (January 8, 2021)."Senator Bill Cassidy Says Pro-Trump Rioters Committed Sedition" .KEEL . RetrievedJanuary 10, 2021 . ^ Mena, Kelly; Merica, Dan (February 13, 2021)."Louisiana Republican Party censures Cassidy following vote to convict Trump" .CNN . RetrievedFebruary 14, 2021 . ^ Concepcion, Summer (August 20, 2023)."GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy says Trump should drop out of the 2024 presidential race" .NBC News . RetrievedAugust 20, 2023 . ^ Yang, Maya (March 17, 2024)."Republican Bill Cassidy derides Trump and calls 2024 race 'sorry state of affairs' .The Guardian . RetrievedMarch 31, 2024 . ^a b Vakil, Caroline (March 20, 2025)."Higgins turns down run for Cassidy's Louisiana Senate seat" .The Hill . RetrievedMarch 20, 2025 . ^ Purdy, Domenic (December 4, 2024)."Treasurer John Fleming announces bid for Bill Cassidy's Senate seat in 2026" .WBRZ-TV . RetrievedDecember 4, 2024 . ^ Vedros, Colin (June 17, 2025)."Louisiana lawmaker announces run for U.S. Senate against Sen. Bill Cassidy" .WVUE-DT . RetrievedJune 17, 2025 . ^ Hilburn, Greg (October 8, 2025)."First woman launches Louisiana Senate campaign challenging incumbent Republican Bill Cassidy" .Shreveport Times . RetrievedOctober 8, 2025 . ^ Purdy, Domenic (July 25, 2025)."Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta says he is running for Senate against incumbent Bill Cassidy" .WBRZ-TV . RetrievedJuly 27, 2025 . ^ "Sammy Wyatt launches race to unseat Cassidy" .KTBS . RetrievedMay 18, 2025 .^ "ARRINGTON, RANDALL STEVEN PHD - Candidate overview" .FEC.gov . January 1, 2019. RetrievedMay 18, 2025 .^ Hilburn, Greg (August 27, 2025)."Will Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow enter the 2026 U.S. Senate race with Bill Cassidy?" .The Times . RetrievedAugust 28, 2025 . ^ "HOLDER, CHRISTOPHER LEE MR. - Candidate overview" .FEC.gov . January 1, 2019. RetrievedMay 18, 2025 .^ "MOROTT, JOSHUA FEC FORM 2 STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY FILING FEC-1904325" .^ "JOHN, XAN MR. - Candidate overview" .FEC.gov . January 1, 2019. RetrievedMay 18, 2025 .^ Bridges, Tyler (April 21, 2025)."Will Julia Letlow challenge Bill Cassidy in Louisiana? Political heavyweights are asking" .The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate . RetrievedApril 22, 2025 . ^ Beaumont, Thomas (May 10, 2025)."Louisiana governor pushes Trump to weigh primary challenger to GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy, AP sources say" .Associated Press . RetrievedMay 10, 2025 . ^a b Mckendry, Nolan (September 2, 2025)."Cassidy touts endorsements, campaign momentum" .The Center Square . RetrievedSeptember 8, 2025 .Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., have since thrown their support behind him... ^ "Senator Cassidy earns key conservative endorsement from State Senate Committee Chair Beth Mizell" .Livingston Parish News . RetrievedSeptember 8, 2025 .^ https://www.cenlanow.com/news/state-news/ruston-mayor-endorses-cassidy-for-the-2026-senate-election/ ^a b Hilburn, Greg (November 21, 2024)."Senator Bill Cassidy flexes 2026 election muscles ahead of potential MAGA challengers" .The Times . RetrievedNovember 21, 2024 . ^ "- AIPAC Political Portal" .candidates.aipacpac.org . RetrievedApril 28, 2025 .^a b c Soellner, Mica; Cohen, Max."Fleming makes his pro-Trump case against Cassidy" .Punchbowl News . RetrievedMarch 7, 2025 . ^ Vedros, Colin (August 28, 2025)."Elbert Guillory joins John Fleming's Senate run as campaign director" .KALB-TV . RetrievedSeptember 4, 2025 . ^ Hutchinson, Piper (January 25, 2025)."State lawmaker claims Bill Cassidy revoked his Washington Mardi Gras ball tickets over politics" .Louisiana Illuminator . RetrievedJanuary 25, 2025 . ^ "2026 Election United States Senate - Louisiana" .fec.gov .Federal Election Commission . RetrievedApril 23, 2025 .^ Collins, Noah (October 20, 2025)."Fleming Leads the Pack in Louisiana Senate Race — Powered by Grassroots, Not Special Interests" . John Fleming for U.S. Senate. RetrievedOctober 23, 2025 . ^ Lacen, Marlo (May 2, 2025)."Bill Cassidy leads Louisiana's U.S. Senate race, new poll shows" .KTAL-TV . RetrievedMay 2, 2025 . ^ "Fleming To Cassidy: Hey, Cool Poll. I've Got One, Too!" .The Hayride . March 5, 2025.Archived from the original on March 5, 2025. RetrievedMarch 6, 2025 .^a b "LA US Senate Republican Primary Poll, Aug '24 and Mar '25" .The Trafalgar Group . March 25, 2025. RetrievedMarch 28, 2025 .^ Bridges, Tyler (August 11, 2025)."As Louisiana Democrats try to rebuild, is fighting or working with Republicans the answer?" .The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate . RetrievedSeptember 22, 2025 . ^ Bridges, Tyler (October 10, 2025)."John Bel Edwards won't run for U.S. Senate, dashing Louisiana Democrats' hopes" .NOLA . RetrievedOctober 10, 2025 . ^ "LaBranche, Jamie FEC FORM 2 STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY FILING FEC-1904219" .^ "Senate Ratings" .Inside Elections . RetrievedJanuary 14, 2025 .^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings" .Cook Political Report . RetrievedFebruary 11, 2025 .^ "2026 Senate ratings" .Sabato's Crystal Ball . RetrievedFebruary 13, 2025 .^ "2026 Senate Forecast" .Race to the WH . RetrievedMarch 19, 2025 .Official campaign websites
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