Democrats Are Eager to Watch Republicans Fight Over Bill Cassidy’s Seat

It’s a long-shot seat for their party to flip.

Bill Cassidy 2025

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Louisiana Democrats are hoping that Sen. Bill Cassidy’s confirmation vote in support of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could give them a long-shot opening to flip his seat — or at least wreak havoc among Republicans.

Louisiana is a red state that hasn’t elected a Democrat for statewide office in several years. But Democrats are looking at a bleak Senate map that doesn’t give them many pickup opportunities next year. It’s forcing them to look to other states where they would normally not for any sign of momentum — even Louisiana.

And Cassidy has been under scrutiny for how he navigates his relationship with President Donald Trump and Kennedy, with whom he’s clashed often over health policy.