State Sen. Blake Miguez announced a 2026 U.S. Senate run, attacking incumbent GOP Senator Bill Cassidy for voting to convict Trump.

Miguez Declares Senate Run, Criticizes GOP Incumbent

Louisiana state Senator Blake Miguez has formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, setting the stage for a high-profile Republican primary challenge in 2026. In a campaign video released Tuesday, Miguez sharply criticized incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy, declaring, "I’m running for the U.S. Senate because Bill Cassidy sucks." Miguez accused Cassidy of betraying Louisiana, President Donald Trump, and Republican principles.

The campaign video included archived footage of Cassidy’s controversial decision to vote to convict President Trump following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Cassidy was one of only a handful of Republican senators to support conviction after Trump was impeached by the House. While the Senate trial took place after Trump left office and failed to reach the threshold for conviction, Cassidy’s vote has remained a point of contention among party conservatives.

In his statement on social media, Miguez emphasized his commitment to the “America First” agenda and unwavering support for President Trump. "As your next Senator, I won’t bend. I won’t break. I’ll stand with President Trump. And I’ll never stop fighting to put America First. Bill Cassidy had his shot. He missed. I won’t," he pledged. Miguez framed his campaign as a fight to restore the American Dream and challenge what he called “DC phonies.”

Competitive Field Forms for 2026 Louisiana Senate Election

The 2026 Senate race in Louisiana is already drawing attention, with State Treasurer John Fleming also having announced a campaign to challenge Cassidy. Cassidy has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015, following previous roles in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Louisiana state Senate. As the race heats up, both Republican contenders are appealing to voters dissatisfied with Cassidy’s record and seeking closer alignment with Trump’s policies.

The upcoming election is expected to serve as a critical test of Republican Party loyalties in Louisiana, especially regarding the ongoing influence of President Trump within the GOP. As the campaign unfolds, Miguez and other challengers are positioning themselves as champions of the state’s conservative base, promising to prioritize local values and national conservative priorities in Washington.