Louisiana

Louisiana heads into Nov. 3 elections for one U.S. Senate seat and several House seats under unusual circumstances. The U.S. Supreme Court's June 29 ruling in Callais v. Louisiana, which found the state's 6th Congressional District unconstitutionally gerrymandered, forced Gov. Jeff Landry to order a new open primary even after some ballots had already been cast, confusing voters about district lines. The Senate race to succeed Bill Cassidy, between Rep. Julia Letlow and Democrat Jamie Davis, will be decided outright since a May primary already occurred; Cassidy was eliminated after being targeted by state Republicans over his impeachment vote. House races featuring incumbents are expected to avoid runoffs, but open seats in the 5th and 6th Districts likely head to a December runoff. Early voting has surged, particularly among Black voters.

Louisiana's Public Service Commission voted 4-1 to require investor-owned utilities Entergy, Cleco Power and Southwestern Electric Power Company to participate in a new "Louisiana Advanced Nuclear Exploration" program, studying how to integrate nuclear energy into their systems. Utilities can spend up to $2 million over three years on feasibility and economic studies, partnering with nuclear firms. Commissioners removed a proposed per-meter customer fee, instead allowing cost recovery through base rates without rate increases unless separately approved. Commissioner Davante Lewis cast the dissenting vote, warning ratepayers could fund research without guaranteed benefits. The move follows Gov. Jeff Landry's push for nuclear investment and aligns with the Trump administration's emphasis on expanding nuclear energy amid rising data center and industrial power demand.

St. Tammany Parish voters head to the polls Nov. 3 to elect a new sheriff for the first time in over 30 years without Jack Strain or Randy Smith on the ballot, filling the remaining 18 months of Smith's term after his resignation and guilty plea to second-degree battery. Interim Sheriff Bret Ibert will retire once a successor is sworn in this January. Four candidates are running: former Louisiana State Police Superintendent Robert Hodges, retired U.S. Marshal Scott Illing, retired bomb-squad commander David Maki, and former Slidell Police interim chief Daniel Seuzeneau. Each emphasizes transparency, staff morale, and budget fixes. Without a majority winner, a runoff follows Dec. 12.

A Detroit News investigation found Michigan Rep. Jack Bergman has been living part time in a Capitol Hill rowhouse long owned by an entity tied to Kim Kiyosaki, former business partner of "Rich Dad Poor Dad" author Robert Kiyosaki, a close friend and top donor who with Kiyosaki has given Bergman's campaigns more than $257,000. In February, Kiyosaki sold the home for $1.55 million to Bergman's daughter and son-in-law via a seller-financed land contract requiring no principal payments until 2033. Bergman's office says he pays fair-market rent and is in compliance with House ethics rules, but watchdog groups say the arrangement may be structured to funnel value to Bergman's family while avoiding ethics scrutiny, especially since he has also claimed taxpayer-funded lodging reimbursements.

Final pre-election FEC filings show wide fundraising disparities among Louisiana's congressional candidates. In the 6th District, Republican Blake Miguez leads with $7.6 million raised, far outpacing rival Rick Edmonds and other challengers, though polling suggests the race remains unsettled. In the open 5th District, state Rep. Michael Echols leads fundraising, bolstered by a large personal loan, ahead of Misti Cordell, Gabe Firment, and Stewart Cathey Jr. In the Senate race, GOP Rep. Julia Letlow, endorsed by President Trump, has outraised Democrat Jamie Davis $6.8 million to $4 million. Incumbents Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise, Troy Carter, and Clay Higgins retain major cash advantages over challengers as early voting continues toward the November 3 election.

Former LAPD chief Bill Bratton has publicly warned LA mayoral candidate Nithya Raman against her campaign pledge to remove current Police Chief Jim McDonnell, whose term runs through 2030. Bratton, credited with reforming the LAPD and later leading police departments in Boston and New York, said ousting McDonnell could trigger a "mass exodus" from the force and called the move political posturing. He also criticized reports that Raman might replace McDonnell with George Gascón, the former LA County district attorney who lost reelection in 2024. Raman, aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, has wavered on the issue but has not disavowed her stance, drawing contrast with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's decision to retain NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.