BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) -- State Rep. Julie Emerson (R-Carencro) announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate Monday morning.

Emerson, who serves as the Louisiana House Ways & Means Committee chairman, challenges incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy. As a state lawmaker, she led the effort for the state's $1 billion income tax cut, authored the school choice program LA GATOR and passed legislation ending the state franchise tax.

“Voters want a strong conservative senator who can get things done — someone focused on results, not rhetoric. I’m running to bring home real outcomes for Louisiana: infrastructure investment, new jobs, and a seat at the table where decisions get made," Emerson said.

Other challengers Cassidy faces in the 2026 Senate election are Louisiana Treasurer John

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