Exclusive | Sen. Bill Cassidy’s campaign touts record-setting $9M war chest as he leads primary challengers

WASHINGTON — Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) raised $2.12 million in the second quarter of this year as he seeks a third term in a potential head-to-head race against the Pelican State’s Democratic former governor, John Bel Edwards.

Cassidy, 67, has a total of $9 million cash on hand — the most of any Senate candidate at this point in the 2026 cycle — in his war chest, according to his campaign.

“I’m grateful for the outpouring of support from so many who want proven conservative leadership that delivers for Louisiana,” Cassidy said in a statement.

“I am proud to have worked with President Trump to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill and will continue to deliver real results that put Louisiana First.”

A recent Ragnar Research survey of likely Republican voters showed Cassidy lapping rivals John Fleming, the current Louisiana treasurer, and Randall Arrington, a retired naval aviator.

If the primary were held today, Cassidy would win 45% of the vote, Fleming would net 18% and Arrington just 3%.

The results come as Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Dadrius Lanus predicted in a Wednesday interview Cassidy “will have a Democratic strong competitor or opponent” in November 2026 — but declined to reveal who that would be.

Trump praised Cassidy at the White House in May for the role he’d played in moving his agenda legislation forward, but the two had previously been at odds over Cassidy’s vote to convict the 45th president of a charge of incitement of insurrection in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

In April 2024, the once and future president lashed out, calling the Louisianan “one of the worst senators in the United States Senate” after Cassidy insisted Trump “can not” prevail in that year’s presidential election.

“Senator Cassidy is a proven, Louisiana First, conservative fighter, and Louisianians know he has worked hard to deliver for the state,” said campaign manager Katie Larkin. “These latest fundraising numbers are another indication of the tremendous enthusiasm that’s been building for his reelection campaign.”

“Cassidy has the support, resources, and momentum necessary to earn another term as the Senior U.S. Senator from Louisiana.”