Former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards Declines Senate Run in 2026, Urges Louisiana to Reject Extremist Politicians

Former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards Declines Senate Run in 2026, Urges Louisiana to Reject Extremist Politicians

Former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has announced that he will not be running for the U.S. Senate in 2026. The current seat is held by Republican Bill Cassidy, who is seeking re-election. Edwards stated that he and his wife, Donna, have received calls from people across Louisiana urging him to run for the Senate, but they have decided that now is not the right time to re-enter public office. After serving as Governor for eight years, they want to focus on being grandparents to their two grandbabies. Edwards expressed concern about the direction the country is heading and hopes that the people of Louisiana will reject extremist politicians in the upcoming election. Several Republicans, including State Treasurer John Fleming, State Senator Blake Miguez, and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, are challenging Cassidy in the Senate race, with qualifying set to begin in January.