Who's In the Race

Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) faces Democrat John Day, Democrat Priscilla Gonzalez, Republican Kate Cotten, Democrat Caleb Walker, and other candidates in Louisiana's 3rd District Nov. 3 general election. ​

Louisiana uses an open primary for U.S. Representative, followed by an open general election if no candidate wins outright. The 2026 race will use Louisiana's existing six-district map after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the state's 2024 map on April 29.

Higgins is an Army veteran and law-enforcement officer who has represented the district in Congress. Day is a Navy veteran who served from 1994 to 1998, grew up in Lake Charles, and worked in the insurance industry. Gonzalez's campaign describes her as a progressive Democrat and the daughter of an immigrant.

What They Stand For

Higgins has supported legislation to prohibit federal funding for abortions and defund Planned Parenthood, according to his official House website. He's also supported:

  • Legislation addressing immigration enforcement, including the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act;
  • Reforming the Army Corps of Engineers' civil-works mission; and
  • His background as an Army veteran and law-enforcement officer with an active Louisiana State POST certification.

Day has proposed focusing his campaign on insurance, jobs, health care, storm protection, and cost of living, according to his campaign website. He's also called for:

  • Storm and flood protection "that actually happens"; and
  • Addressing the cost of living for residents of the district.

Gonzalez is a Democratic candidate whose campaign describes her as a progressive Democrat and the daughter of an immigrant.

The Money Behind the Race

Candidates in the race have raised a combined total of about $853,000 as of Oct. 12. Specific per-candidate breakdowns from FEC filings were not available in the record for this race.

Outside spending in the race totaled just $781 as of Oct. 13, all of it supporting Higgins, with the Freedom Caucus Fund as the sole spender.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2.

Kalshi traders gave Republicans a 98.09 percent chance of winning Louisiana's 3rd District as of Oct. 13.

Higgins carried the district with about 64 percent of the vote in 2022 and about 71 percent in 2024. Republicans won five of Louisiana's six U.S. House seats in 2022 and four of six in 2024. Donald Trump carried Louisiana in the 2024 presidential election with about 60 percent of the vote.

Polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Early voting runs Tuesday, Oct. 20, through Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Sunday, Oct. 25. The mail-ballot application deadline is Friday, Oct. 30, by 4:30 p.m., except for military and overseas voters. The in-person and mail voter-registration deadline was Monday, Oct. 5; the online registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 13.

---

AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article