Who's running in Louisiana's 5th congressional district
9 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Preserving rural hospitals and health care access as a prerequisite for recruiting industry.
Lowering prescription drug prices and scrutinising pharmacy benefit managers.
Supporting Medicaid work requirements taking effect in January.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Louisiana state senator since 2020.
Voted in 2024 against the congressional map later struck down in Louisiana v. Callais.
Qualified August 5, 2026 for the November 3 open primary, after not running before redistricting.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Cathey could be found, so no arguments are listed for him (his own case is in his positions). Searched: 'Echols OR Cathey OR Firment attack ad or criticized 5th district', his campaign announcement coverage, and Louisiana Illuminator, Louisiana Radio Network and The Hayride coverage.
Tying Medicaid and Medicare payments to quality measures such as infection and readmission rates.
Higher federal payments to independent physicians, who are more likely to practise in rural areas.
Lowering prescription drug prices and scrutinising pharmacy benefit managers.
Leadership built on 'people coming together, solving problems and taking care of each other'.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents, appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry.
Health care business owner.
Endorsed by the Louisiana Republican Party executive committee on August 27, 2026.
Personal friend of Gov. Landry and first lady Sharon Landry; some long-time Landry campaign staff work on her campaign, according to the Louisiana Illuminator.
Qualified for the old 5th District in February 2026 and said she was seeking President Trump's endorsement.
Qualified during the August 5–7, 2026 period for the November 3 open primary.
Arguments in favor
'This endorsement means so much to me because it came from the grassroots — the men and women who have spent years doing the hard work of building our Republican Party in communities across Louisiana.'
— Misti Cordell, campaign news release reported by the Louisiana Illuminator
Arguments against
Her party endorsement came through a process that 'smells to high heaven' — 'a backroom popularity contest of 8 in a secret emergency meeting.'
— State Rep. Michael Echols, Republican opponent, to the Louisiana Illuminator
What we couldn’t verify
Louisiana GOP Chairman Derek Babcock said he personally voted against endorsing any candidate in this race; whether other Republicans will also be endorsed was not settled.
Whether President Trump will endorse in this race had not been reported.
Modernising the electrical grid, expanding broadband and investing in infrastructure.
Passing 'a farm bill that works for farmers'.
Tighter regulation of pharmacy benefit managers and lower prescription drug prices.
A national electronic health records system.
Supporting Medicaid work requirements taking effect in January.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Louisiana state representative since 2020; House Republican leadership (caucus chairman per the Illuminator, majority leader since 2025 per WWNO).
Proposed barring retail pharmacy chains from also owning pharmacy benefit managers earlier in 2026; the bill failed.
Qualified for the old 5th District in February and again on August 5, 2026 for the November 3 open primary.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Echols could be found, so no arguments are listed for him (his own case is in his positions; his criticism of Cordell's endorsement is under her profile). Searched: 'Echols OR Cathey OR Firment attack ad or criticized 5th district', GOP endorsement coverage, and Louisiana Illuminator, Louisiana Radio Network and The Hayride coverage.
Defending constitutional rights he says are 'at peril'.
Medicaid work requirements with appropriate exemptions and efficient implementation so eligible people don't lose coverage.
Lowering prescription drug prices.
Rural health care access.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Louisiana state representative since 2020; chair of the House Insurance Committee.
Qualified August 5, 2026 for the November 3 open primary.
Raised about $300,000 in his first month in the race and authored Louisiana's ban on gender-transition procedures for minors, per The Hayride.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Firment could be found, so no arguments are listed for him (The Hayride's favourable assessment is reflected in his record). Searched: 'Echols OR Cathey OR Firment attack ad or criticized 5th district', forum coverage (a KTVE forum report could not be loaded), and Louisiana Illuminator, Louisiana Radio Network and The Hayride coverage.
Outreach so Medicaid recipients understand what they must submit to keep their benefits.
Representing all voters in the district regardless of party.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Louisiana state representative, House District 17, since 2019.
Ouachita Parish Police Jury, 2007–2019.
Endorsed by the Louisiana Democratic Party.
Qualified August 7, 2026 for the November 3 open primary.
The Hayride's analysis expects her to lead the primary field but face 'a pretty hard ceiling below 50 percent' in a runoff.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument for or against Moore by a named opponent, party or outlet could be found, beyond the party endorsement recorded above. Searched: 'Pat Moore Louisiana state representative congress criticism or record', Republican candidates' statements, and Louisiana Illuminator, Shreveport-Bossier Advocate, WWNO and The Hayride coverage.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This is an open seat: Republican Rep. Julia Letlow is running for US Senate after defeating Sen. Bill Cassidy in the Republican primary. Louisiana's election system for this seat changed in 2026. Closed party primaries were scheduled for May 16, but after the US Supreme Court struck down the state's congressional map in Louisiana v. Callais (April 2026), Gov. Jeff Landry suspended them, and the Legislature moved the House races to an open 'jungle' primary on November 3: all candidates of every party appear on one ballot, a candidate with more than 50% wins outright, and otherwise the top two advance to a runoff on December 12, 2026. Votes already cast for the May House primaries were voided. A new congressional map was signed May 29, 2026; lawsuits over it were filed or threatened, and their outcome was not established. Candidates who had filed for the old 5th District before redistricting, including state Sen. Blake Miguez (endorsed there by President Trump) and Democrat Lindsay Garcia, moved to the new 6th District. Nine candidates qualified August 5–7, per the Secretary of State's candidate inquiry, listed here alphabetically: Republicans Stewart Cathey Jr., Misti Cordell, Oscar 'Omar' Dantzler, Michael Echols, Gabe Firment and Austin Magee, and Democrats Dan McKay, Pat Moore and Antonio Wilson. The Louisiana Republican Party's executive committee endorsed Cordell; the Louisiana Democratic Party endorsed Moore. The district is centred on northeast Louisiana and is the state's most rural House seat. The Louisiana GOP chairman said future congressional elections will use a new semi-closed party primary system; this November 3 contest does not.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Louisiana ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Louisiana Secretary of State.