Clay Higgins

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins faces no Republican opposition in the GOP primary for his sixth reelection bid to represent Acadiana. But, come November, he will face a Democratic opponent.

With the new closed congressional primaries, it’ll be the first time since he beat Scott Angelle in 2016, with the help of David Vitter’s political action committee, that Higgins will compete in the general election.

Three Democrats are competing in the May 16 Democratic primary, with the winner set to go up against Higgins, R-Lafayette. Early voting begins Saturday.

John Day, of Lake Charles, is a professional writer who is working with the Coushatta and Choctaw tribes. A Navy veteran, Day has worked in insurance, healthcare, and financial consulting.

Tia LeBrun, of Sulphur, is an educator and member of the United Houma Nation. She has a master’s degree from the University of New Orleans and taught French at Lake Charles Boston High School, where she was Teacher of the Year in 2007. She is on the board of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana.

Caleb Walker, of Lafayette, is a U.S. Army veteran who saw combat in Afghanistan. He’s worked for Sam’s Club and has a degree in Christian Leadership.

The three candidates have been appearing together at town halls as well as campaigning on their own.

They agree on some big issues.

All three support a woman’s right to choose. They would abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which has been leading efforts to deport immigrants. They back a single-payer healthcare system that covers everyone, similar to Medicare. They oppose requiring voters to prove citizenship when registering, which Republicans in Congress are pushing.

And they oppose the pugnacious ways of Higgins and President Donald Trump.

“These two men, in tandem, are the reason we have problems,” Day said.

He said that, on his first day in Congress, he would file articles of impeachment against Trump; codify the law to protect human dignity; and undo the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included much of Trump’s domestic agenda, including restrictions on health care and food assistance for low income people along with sweeping tax cuts.

“We’ve been overlooked by some of our elected officials. We need people to focus on the crises that affect our everyday lives here,” LeBrun said. “Medical decisions are such a personal, intimate decision that you have to make between a trained medical professional and the person potentially receiving any treatment. I don’t want couyon Clay Higgins in my doctor’s office with me.”

“I want to bring community back to where it should be,” Walker said. “At my core, I believe in community. I believe in showing up, listening, and working with people from all walks of life to solve real problems. My leadership has always been about unity, respect, and getting things done — not for recognition, but because it matters.

Day and LeBrun each have about $5,000 to spend on their campaigns as of March 31, according to the Federal Election Commission. Higgins reported $535,502 on the same day. Walker did not raise enough money to file with the FEC.

Louisiana’s Third Congressional District makes up all or part of 11 parishes along the coast from the Sabine River to the Atchafalaya River. Its voters haven’t backed a Democratic presidential, gubernatorial, or Senate candidate since 2008.

Higgins eschews traditional campaigning, buying little time on commercial television and avoiding sit downs with reporters from the mainstream media. Hence, he doesn’t raise much money when compared to most congresspersons, including other members of the Louisiana delegation.