BATON ROUGE — One of Louisiana’s most closely watched, fiercely contested and crowded congressional races is unfolding in the 5th District.
The field shifted quickly after U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow secured President Donald Trump’s backing to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy.
Letlow’s endorsement triggered a ripple effect among Republican candidates. State Sen. Blake Miguez (R–New Iberia) exited the U.S. Senate race and launched a bid for the 5th District seat with Trump’s support. That same endorsement effectively sidelined state Rep. Dixon McMakin (R–Baton Rouge), ending his brief interest in the race.
The 5th District stretches from Louisiana’s northeast corner through the Florida Parishes. It was reconfigured at the expense of Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District, which was redrawn to become a legally contested majority Black district.
Seven Republicans and five Democrats qualified for the contest.
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Republican Party candidates (in alphabetical order):
Misti Cordell: Cordell currently serves as chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents, appointed in 2024 to oversee higher education policy and reform. Cordell is also the owner/operator of COR Consulting, a healthcare consulting firm focused on rural health and independent medical providers. Her campaign centers on conservative leadership, defending traditional values and expanding economic opportunities across the district.
Michael Echols: Echols is a Republican state representative for Louisiana’s 14th House District, based in Monroe. He previously served on the Monroe City Council before being elected to the Louisiana House in 2019. Echols holds degrees from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and emphasizes local government experience and conservative policy priorities.
“Rick” Edmonds: Edmonds is a Republican state senator representing the 6th District and a longtime elected official with prior service in the Louisiana House of Representatives. A pastor by profession, Edmonds has a background in religious leadership and conservative advocacy. He entered the 5th District race to fight for what he describes as core Louisiana values at the federal level, bringing legislative experience from the state Capitol to his congressional bid.
Austin Magee: Magee is an industrial construction company owner based in Franklinton. He has built his career in the private sector, managing projects and overseeing business operations in the construction industry. Magee positions himself as a political outsider, emphasizing conservative priorities and a business-first approach to economic growth, while arguing that Washington policies are hindering local industry and job creation.
Michael Mebruer: Mebruer is an LSU graduate in economics from St. Francisville. He has worked as a traveling medical professional, serving communities across the country. Mebruer says that experience shaped his views on how federal policy impacts everyday Americans. His campaign focuses on reducing federal spending and addressing the national debt, emphasizing what he describes as practical, long-term fiscal reform.
Blake Miguez: Miguez is a Republican state senator from Louisiana’s 22nd District and former state representative. Miguez has served in the legislature since 2019 and previously held leadership roles, including House majority leader. He also owns an energy services company and has been active in state policy on workforce development, taxes and economic issues. His campaign emphasizes conservative fiscal policy, support for the energy sector and a focus on expanding jobs and opportunities across Louisiana.
Samuel “Sammy” Wyatt: Wyatt is a U.S. Navy veteran and former law enforcement officer. He has spent more than 20 years in public safety, including roles with the Bossier City Police Department and as a reserve deputy in multiple sheriff’s offices. He holds advanced degrees, including a Ph.D., and works in compliance and risk management at LSU Health-Shreveport. Wyatt positions himself as an America First conservative, emphasizing border security, support for energy and agriculture industries, and strong Second Amendment and pro-life stances.
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Democratic Party candidates (in alphabetical order):
Jessee Fleenor: Fleenor is a dairy farmer who was born and raised on a family farm. Fleenor emphasizes his rural roots and small-town perspective, positioning himself as a “Blue Dog” Democrat focused on community, economic opportunity and a fresh voice in Washington. He has previously run for this seat and highlights his experience in agriculture and grassroots engagement as key to his campaign.
Larry Foy: Foy is a retired educator, pastor and community leader with decades of experience in teaching, ministry and nonprofit work. Foy has emphasized expanding access to healthcare, strengthening education and supporting economic opportunity for families across rural and small-town Louisiana. His campaign focuses on building bipartisan solutions in Washington and advocating for working people.
Lindsay “Rubia” Garcia: Garcia is a former educator with Orleans Parish Schools, legal scholar and mother of two. She is running on a platform focused on working families, economic opportunity and access to healthcare. Garcia, who is from Walker, highlights challenges facing rural communities, including job access, rising costs and support for small businesses and farmers.
Dan McKay: McKay was raised on a cotton farm in Richland Parish, he served in Army Intelligence during the Vietnam War and later built a career as an attorney. McKay says his campaign is focused on restoring government accountability and returning power to the people, drawing on his background in military service and law.
Tania Nyman: Nyman is a former LSU English instructor and community advocate from Baton Rouge. She first became involved in advocacy in 2012 while opposing the creation of a breakaway school district in East Baton Rouge Parish and has since worked with various organizations on community issues. Her campaign highlights education, community engagement and broader advocacy efforts across the district.
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