The Louisiana Republican Party’s leadership came under fire this week after the party’s eight‑member executive committee used a closed, private process to endorse candidates in the state’s two competitive congressional races.
Backroom Votes Spark Outcry
On Sunday, the committee voted to back New Iberia state Sen. Blake Miguez for the 6th Congressional District, selecting him over five other Republicans. After a wave of criticism, the committee met again on Thursday and endorsed Baton Rouge state Sen. Rick Edmonds, the other major GOP contender in that race.
That same Thursday meeting also produced an endorsement for Monroe‑based Misti Cordell in the 5th Congressional District. Cordell, a healthcare business owner and chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents, has never held elected office. She said the endorsement meant a great deal because it came from “the grassroots – the men and women who have spent years building our Republican Party in communities across Louisiana.”
Potential Advantages and Candidate Reactions
A state party endorsement can bring significant financial benefits. The Republican National Committee typically assists a candidate’s campaign only after receiving state party approval, and endorsed candidates may receive discounted direct‑mail rates and access to voter‑registration lists.
Cordell will face three other Republicans with more political experience: state Sen. Stewart Cathey, state House GOP Caucus Chairman Mike Echols, and state Rep. Gabe Firment. Both Echols and Firment said they had been told the party would hold off on an endorsement until after the Nov. 3 primary because of the crowded field.
“I don’t know that it makes a huge amount of difference to the average voter or citizens. I’m not terribly upset about it,” Firment told reporters.
Echols expressed stronger frustration, describing the executive committee’s process as “smelling to high heaven” and likening it to a “smoke‑filled, secretive deal” reminiscent of former Democratic Gov. Huey Long. “I’m running to win votes, not win a back‑room popularity contest of eight in a secret emergency meeting,” he wrote in a text message.
Party Leaders Defend and Promise Reform
Louisiana GOP Chairman Derek Babcock explained that Cordell secured the endorsement because she was the only candidate in the 5th District to submit the required signatures from Republican State Central Committee members. He added that the committee may consider additional endorsements if other candidates turn in signatures.
“I’m not going to say that we’re finished with endorsements,” Babcock said, noting he personally abstained from voting on Cordell because of the strong field.
Governor Jeff Landry, who has not publicly endorsed any candidate in the 5th or 6th District races, is believed to favor both Edmonds and Cordell. Landry and Miguez previously clashed over the governor’s tax‑budget overhaul, and the governor vetoed a nutrition bill authored by Miguez last year.
Calls for a Transparent Process
Babcook said he wants the endorsement rules posted clearly on the party’s website and firm deadlines for signature submissions. He also suggested that the new semi‑closed primary system, which will apply to upcoming Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and congressional elections, could reduce confusion. Under the semi‑closed primary, voters will choose which Republican candidate receives the party’s backing, moving the decision away from the executive committee.
Firment called for a more thorough vetting of candidates’ backgrounds in future endorsement processes, urging candidates to articulate a clear vision for their time in office.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
