Republican state Senator Blake Miguez ended weeks of speculation Friday by qualifying for the race to replace Congressman Cleo Fields in Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District.
Miguez represents a New Iberia-area district in the state Senate, but his primary residence is outside the boundaries of the 6th Congressional District.
Throughout the three-day qualifying period, there had been speculation over whether Miguez would run in the 5th or 6th Congressional District. He waited until just hours before qualifying closed to officially enter the 6th District race.
Miguez’s decision came two days after fellow Republican state Senator Rick Edmonds qualified for the race and criticized Miguez for not living in the district.
Edmonds said in a statement that he was glad Miguez had finally decided which district to run in. Edmonds also accused Miguez and his supporters of being “panicked” after Miguez lost President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Miguez pushed back against Edmonds’ criticism after qualifying.
“That was an old race, with old district lines, those district lines have changed, but what hasn’t changed is my support for the America First Agenda,” Miguez said. “I plan to work hard to earn his endorsement in this new race.”
Miguez acknowledged that his primary residence is in New Iberia, citing his homestead exemption. However, he also questioned whether Edmonds lives in the 6th District.
“I hope that if he were elected, he would actually move to Louisiana, as well as I, and live in the district and serve peoople, because I intend to do that.
The 6th Congressional District race features 10 candidates on the open primary ballot: six Republicans, three Democrats and one Libertarian.
The seat became open after Fields announced he would not seek reelection.