Higgins won't challenge Cassidy in 2026 Senate race

U.S. Representative Clay Higgins from Louisiana announced that he will not run for the Senate seat currently held by Senator Bill Cassidy in 2026. This decision came in a letter shared on social media. Higgins, who has been a strong ally of former President Donald Trump, stated he believes his work in the House is important for the Republican Party. Higgins mentioned that he is confident he could defeat Cassidy but feels it is better to stay in his current role. He believes another candidate aligned with the "MAGA America First" movement will step up to challenge Cassidy. Cassidy has faced criticism from some conservatives due to his vote to convict Trump during the impeachment trial in 2021. Senator Cassidy's recent support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is known for his anti-vaccine stance, was seen as an attempt to win back favor with Trump's supporters. Cassidy, also a doctor, has publicly disagreed with Kennedy's conspiracy theories. Cassidy is already facing competition from Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming, who has ties to Trump's previous administration. Fleming previously ran for the Senate in 2016 but did not win. State Senator Blake Miguez is also considering a run against Cassidy. The 2026 election will feature a new closed primary system in Louisiana. This change will affect how candidates compete for Senate and other important political seats. Under this system, only registered party members can vote in their party's primary, which could lead to more polarized voters and potentially increase the chances for more conservative candidates to challenge moderate ones.