BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana’s state Treasurer, John Fleming, has officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. He aims to challenge the incumbent, Bill Cassidy, also a Republican, who is up for reelection in 2026.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Fleming criticized Cassidy, asserting that he has “failed the people of Louisiana.” He specifically targeted Cassidy’s decision to be one of the seven Republican Senators who sided with Democrats in the impeachment trial against former President Trump following the events of January 6, 2021.
“Many Republicans distanced themselves from President Trump during the final year of his presidency,” said Fleming, who is 73 years old. “Those who turned their backs on him and the America First agenda didn’t show true commitment to his mission of making America great again.”
Cassidy, aged 67, is serving his second term in a state known for its strong Republican support, as evidenced by Trump’s substantial victories in Louisiana during the last three presidential elections. In his previous election, Cassidy secured a comfortable win against an opponent who lacked significant recognition within the party.
Notably, Cassidy’s earlier election occurred before his controversial vote to convict Trump, a decision that earned him harsh criticism online and led to censure by the Republican Party in Louisiana.
While Cassidy has not made an official announcement regarding his third term campaign, his spokesman Joe Ramallo confirmed on Thursday that Cassidy has repeatedly stated his intention to seek reelection. Ramallo also noted that Cassidy will evaluate who remains in the race as the campaign progresses.
In the meantime, Cassidy’s team has highlighted his recent accomplishments, which include collaborating with Trump’s appointee for the Veterans Affairs Department, obtaining tax relief for those affected by natural disasters, and advocating for a vote led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to repeal the Windfall Elimination Penalty and Government Pension Offset. These policies have a significant impact on Social Security beneficiaries, particularly those who also receive pensions from non-Social Security-covered jobs and surviving spouses receiving government pensions.
Fleming’s announcement marks an early start to his campaign, representing a desire to return to the Senate after previously serving four terms in the U.S. House beginning in 2009. Following his time in Congress, he attempted an unsuccessful bid for a Senate seat, losing to current Treasurer John Kennedy.
After his congressional career, Fleming spent several years in various roles within the Trump administration, including as deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services and as assistant secretary of commerce for economic development. In 2022, he was elected as Louisiana Treasurer and officially took office in January 2024.
