The 2026 United States Senate election in Louisiana will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Louisiana. Incumbent Republican senator Bill Cassidy, who was re-elected in 2020, is running for re-election to a third term. Cassidy's vocal opposition to former president Donald Trump has led to speculation that Republicans will field a primary challenge 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 closed partisan primaries instead of a single blanket primary since 1974.[2]
In January 2024, governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 17, sponsored by representative Julie Emerson, which eliminated the top-two Louisiana primary system in favor of closed partisan primaries in elections for Congress, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Public Service Commission, and the Supreme Court. The bill also indicated the use of runoff 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 since 1974; the top-two primary was first implemented in congressional elections in 1978.[2]
Cassidy's outspoken opposition to Trump and his policies has led political analysts to believe him vulnerable to a primary challenge from the right wing of the party. Early speculation of potential candidates included Clay Higgins, a Congressman and law enforcement officer who has gained popularity among Republicans for his far-right positions and support of Trump.[7]
