Welcome to The Pelican Brief

We’re excited to introduce The Pelican Brief, our new newsletter designed to keep you informed and connected on all things Louisiana politics. Produced by The Tatman Group, this publication will bring you timely, relevant, and insightful updates on legislative activity, regulatory developments, and political events shaping our state.

From in-depth coverage of key bills and elections to legal rulings, agency actions, and industry impacts, The Pelican Brief will be your trusted source for understanding the decisions that affect your organization, your community, and Louisiana’s future.

You’ll also find periodic highlights on positive news and policy successes—because Louisiana’s story is more than just politics; it’s about people, progress, and resilience. Whether you’re a client, partner, or simply invested in Louisiana’s future, our goal is to ensure you’re always “in the know.”

Louisiana’s 2026 Senate Race: A Primary Showdown in the Making

Louisiana is heading into one of its most closely watched U.S. Senate contests in years. With the election scheduled for November 3, 2026, the race features an embattled incumbent, a crowded Republican field, and a brand-new election system that could reshape the outcome.

For the first time since 2010, Louisiana voters will not be using the state’s famous “jungle primary” system. A law passed in 2024 reinstated closed partisan primaries, meaning voters may only cast ballots in their party’s primary. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two move to a runoff. This change is expected to harden party lines and make it more difficult for moderates to rely on crossover support.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, first elected in 2014, is seeking a third term. Cassidy enters the race with a major advantage: more than $9 million raised and nearly $8.7 million cash on hand. Yet he is also politically vulnerable. His vote to convict Donald Trump during Trump’s second impeachment trial continues to draw criticism from conservative activists, opening space for challengers who are eager to brand him as out of step with the GOP base.

Several Republicans have already declared:

• John Fleming, Louisiana State Treasurer and former Congressman, launched his campaign in 2024 and is running as a strong conservative alternative.

• Blake Miguez, a State Senator and Trump ally, announced in June 2025 with fiery rhetoric, accusing Cassidy of “betraying our state, our president, and our principles.”

• Eric Skrmetta, a Public Service Commissioner, and Sammy Wyatt, a healthcare professional, have also entered the field.

Other lesser-known candidates have filed paperwork, while speculation continues about Congresswoman Julia Letlowpossibly entering the race with the backing of Governor Jeff Landry and Trump supporters. If Letlow ultimately decides not to run, it is possible that State Representative Julie Emerson, a rising conservative figure, may step in to challenge Cassidy.

So far, Cassidy maintains a commanding lead. An April 2025 poll by Ragnar Research showed him at 45 percent, compared with Fleming at 18 percent and other challengers in single digits. Still, a sizable number of voters remain undecided, suggesting room for movement as the campaign intensifies.

The stakes in Louisiana are high for both the state and the national GOP. The switch to closed primaries may favor hardline conservatives and complicate Cassidy’s re-election strategy. Trump’s influence looms large, with Cassidy’s impeachment vote likely to remain a focal point. And with the Senate narrowly divided, Republicans cannot afford costly internal battles in safe red states.

The 2026 Senate race in Louisiana will test whether Cassidy’s incumbency and fundraising muscle can withstand a wave of conservative challengers. It will also serve as an early indicator of how the GOP navigates internal divisions in a post-Trump era.

Supreme Court Sets Stage for High-Stakes Re-Argument on Louisiana Redistricting Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has pressed pause on one of the most closely watched redistricting battles in the country: Louisiana v. Callais. The case sits at the intersection of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the Equal Protection Clause, and its outcome could reshape how congressional maps are drawn—not just in Louisiana, but nationwide.

After the 2020 Census, Louisiana redrew its congressional map. Despite Black residents comprising about one-third of the state’s population, the legislature maintained just one majority-Black district. Civil rights groups sued, and in 2022 a federal court ruled that the map violated Section 2 of the VRA, which prohibits diluting minority voting power.

Lawmakers responded in January 2024 by passing a new plan (S.B. 8) that created a second majority-Black district.

That fix sparked a new challenge—this time from a group of non-Black voters who claim the legislature went too far. They argue S.B. 8 is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, saying race was the predominant factor in drawing the new district.

A federal three-judge panel agreed (2–1), ruling that the map violated the Equal Protection Clause. But with elections looming, the Supreme Court allowed the map to stand temporarily, avoiding voter confusion for the 2024 cycle.

In March 2025, the Justices heard oral arguments in the consolidated cases (Louisiana v. Callais and Robinson v. Callais). But instead of issuing a decision in June, the Court ordered re-argument this fall, an unusual step signaling deep divisions among the Justices.

Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, blasting the delay as judicial avoidance: “The Court has a duty to decide cases properly before it. Postponing this case only prolongs uncertainty.”

Why It Matters

• Voting Rights vs. Equal Protection: The Court must decide whether a map designed to fix a Voting Rights Act violation can simultaneously violate the Constitution’s prohibition on race-based redistricting.

• Representation: For now, Louisiana voters will head into the 2026 elections with two majority-Black districts—a major shift in representation.

• National Impact: A ruling against Louisiana’s map could open the door to challenges of similar remedial maps in other states.

The Court will re-hear arguments on October 15, 2025. A ruling is expected by June 2026, just months before the next congressional elections.

Until then, the future of Louisiana’s congressional map—and perhaps the balance between minority voting protections and constitutional limits on race-conscious districting—hangs in the balance.

Louisiana v. Callais is more than a state fight; it’s a test case for the future of the Voting Rights Act in an era of sharp partisan and racial divides. Every state drawing maps will be watching closely.

Louisiana Insurance Markets: Some Progress, But Challenges Remain

Louisiana families continue to face some of the nation’s highest costs for both homeowners and auto insurance. The problem is not new, but lawmakers in Baton Rouge have begun to respond. During the 2024 Regular Session, the Legislature made some progress on property insurance reforms, while in 2025 they shifted their attention to significant changes in the auto insurance arena.

Property Insurance Progress in 2024

By 2024, Louisiana’s homeowners insurance market was in crisis. Premiums averaged more than twice the national average, with coastal residents struggling to even find coverage as insurers withdrew from the state. In response, the Legislature advanced measures designed to shore up the market and give homeowners more options.

One key reform was the Stated Value Homeowner’s Policy Act, which requires insurers to offer policies based on an agreed-upon property value, rather than only market value. This was particularly aimed at homeowners who had paid off their mortgages but still wanted protection against catastrophic losses.

In addition, lawmakers funded mitigation programsthat help families strengthen their homes against hurricanes. Modeled after successful efforts in Alabama and Florida, Louisiana now offers grants to cover part of the cost of installing fortified roofs—an upfront investment that can reduce storm damage and, over time, bring premiums down.

While these steps have not solved the crisis, they represent progress in making coverage more affordable and accessible.

Auto Insurance Reforms in 2025

If 2024 was about property coverage, 2025 was about Louisiana’s sky-high auto insurance rates. The Legislature passed a package of bills aimed at curbing lawsuit abuse, clarifying fault rules, and reducing excessive claims costs—long cited by insurers as reasons for Louisiana’s inflated rates.

• “No Pay, No Play” Expansion: Uninsured drivers can no longer recover the first $100,000 in damages from a crash, up from the previous $15,000 threshold.

• Comparative Fault Standard: Louisiana moved to a modified comparative fault rule, barring drivers more than 51% at fault from recovering damages.

• Medical Claim Transparency: Plaintiffs are now limited to recovering actual amounts paid for medical care, not inflated billed charges.

• Oversight of Rates: The Insurance Commissioner gained new authority to reject unjustified rate hikes.

• Limits on Certain Claims: New restrictions were also adopted on pain-and-suffering claims by undocumented immigrants and on presumptions linking injuries to accidents.

Together, these changes mark one of the most sweeping auto insurance reform efforts in years. Whether they translate into lower premiums will depend on how insurers respond and how courts interpret the new laws.

Louisiana’s insurance landscape remains volatile. Property insurance is still expensive, and homeowners are waiting to see if reforms from 2024 will stabilize the market. On the auto side, the 2025 reforms could eventually bring relief, but the effects are not likely to be immediate.

What is clear is that lawmakers have recognized the severity of the crisis and are now moving—if unevenly—toward solutions. For Louisiana families struggling under the weight of insurance bills, the hope is that recent legislative steps will mark the beginning of long-term relief rather than just a temporary reprieve.

A Positive Louisiana Story: Coastal Habitat Restoration Success

Amid political and economic challenges, Louisiana has seen a major win for its environment and communities. Restoration projects funded through the Coastal Trust Fund have rebuilt wetlands by strategically depositing dredged sediment along vulnerable coastlines.

These efforts strengthen natural storm barriers, support vital fisheries, and boost local economies. Local leaders have praised the program as a model for collaborative environmental policy—proof that effective planning can yield long-term resilience for Louisiana’s coastline.