Blake Miguez Joins the Race for U.S. Senate
One of the most conservative men in state politics eyes Washington D.C.
In a move that surprised no one, state senator Blake Miguez announced his bid for U.S. Senate. He joins a growing field that looks to take out U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s midterm elections.
Here’s his announcement video.
Most of you who are longtime readers know I am not much of a fan of Cassidy. When he talks to voters, he talks at them. He isn’t much of a listener and instead treats voters as sheep to be herded. He ran in 2020 as a pro-MAGA, pro-Trump Republican, only to turn around and vote to convict him in that last impeachment trial.
That’s not a complaint from me. That is a fact that Louisiana voters haven’t forgiven him for. I more strongly disapprove of any politician who so blatantly wears a mask of who his voters want him to be. Louisiana’s voters are smarter than that.
But Miguez joins a field that is already getting crowded. State Treasurer John Fleming has already announced his candidacy. There are other, smaller candidates who are running, and there are some who are still considering.
Miguez joining the race isn’t a surprise, but it does complicate the race.
My Objective Take on Miguez
The Good
Miguez has a few strengths, most notably on the more populist side of public policy this year. The 2025 legislative session, which I’ve covered a lot here, was a gauntlet for conservatives who sought real reforms to our insurance market, and Miguez was one of them.
I think where Miguez can shine in 2025 is the fact that he has fought hard on the front lines for reforms that Republicans in the state have been demanding. He fought for tort reform. He fought for the Make America Healthy Again agenda. He pushed back against Governor Jeff Landry a lot. This session became such a high-profile one that it helped elevate Miguez quite a bit in conservative circles. Those who have known him or known of him for a while aren’t surprised. But many across the state are now getting to learn about him because of this session, and that’s big.
Those issues will be at the forefront of voters’ minds next year, especially as there isn’t another legislative session before the 2026 spring elections, unless Landry calls a special session (and he just might).
He is also younger than either major candidate, and voters have been looking for younger, fresher faces in political races in recent years.
This all gives Miguez an easy message that can capitalize on this political moment:
“I’m Blake Miguez, and I fought special interests like trial lawyers who fought to keep your insurance rates high, corporations putting unnecessary chemicals in our kids’ food, and fighting out-of-control spending. While I’m fighting special interests, Bill Cassidy serves them, and John Fleming has been out of that game for too long to be effective against them.”
The Bad
Both Cassidy and Fleming have won statewide races. They have money and records of success across the state. Miguez is a rising star in conservative circles, but he’s still working to get access to money and broad support.
Miguez will also need to contend with moderate Republicans in the state who will lean toward Cassidy and the status quo. There is a lot of money and a lot of interests there who do not want Miguez to take his politics to Washington, D.C.
What’s more, the trial lawyers might be out for blood, and Landry holds grudges. One or both could try to throw out obstacles, pay for attack ads, and more to try and stop Miguez (though, in reality, Miguez winning gets a major thorn out of their side).
Miguez also kind of takes the wind out of the sails for any “job hopper” attacks against Fleming because, like Fleming, Miguez just won his state senate seat in 2023. Sure, that was moving from one chamber to the other, but it does do a little to negate the attack against Fleming. Just wanted to note that.
If Miguez can really work on his name ID, he has a shot. But that’s going to take some work.
My Opinion on Miguez
I have met Blake. I like him. I think he is the most conservative person in the race. He is one of the hardest-working conservatives in Baton Rouge, and I have no doubt he’d be the same in Washington, D.C.
John Fleming, once upon a time, was my Congressman. I routinely interviewed him when I was on KNOC in Natchitoches. He is a good man, and I have no doubt he would represent the state well in D.C.
If Fleming wins, Louisiana gets a much better conservative in the Senate than Cassidy, and Miguez will continue to represent South Louisiana well in the legislature. But if Miguez wins, you get a younger, more passionate conservative in Washington, D.C., and one who has been fighting today’s battles in conservative politics.
The Bottom Line
I can’t tell you which one to support or which one to vote for. Neither of my jobs (radio or RedState) would be terribly excited for me to use their platforms to endorse anyone.
What I will tell you is that I am excited to see Miguez in the race. I think he represents the future of the conservative movement in Louisiana.