Three Republicans challenge Louisiana GOP Congressman Clay Higgins in November 8 election

Louisiana incumbent Republican Congressmen Mike Johnson of Benton and Democrat Troy Carter of New Orleans qualified for reelection Wednesday, while GOP Congressman Clay Higgins drew three Republican challengers.

Johnson, a three-term incumbent representing Shreveport-Bossier City, and Carter, a freshman representing New Orleans and Baton Rouge as the state's only Democrat in Congress, both qualified by proxy because of ongoing votes in Washington.

While all of the state's six incumbent members of the U.S. House enter the campaigns as favorites in the Nov. 8 election, Higgins' race could generate the most buzz in Acadiana and southwestern Louisiana.

Lafayette prosecutor and cattleman Holden Hoggatt, who has hired a seasoned campaign team, came out of the gate firing at Higgins, calling him a "fringe conspiracy" theorist who has ignored practical needs of constituents.

Specifically, Hoggatt said the incumbent congressman has been ineffective in generating storm recovery funding, especially in the Lake Charles region devastated by Hurricane Laura in 2020.

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"People don't have time to indulge in fringe conspiracy theories when they don't have a roof over their heads," Hoggatt said. "He would not even (join President Biden) when the president was inspecting the damage. I don't care what party the president is in when people need his help.

"People in Louisiana are crying out for help. There's a distinct failure by current Rep. Clay Higgins to do what's necessary to get the people relief in Hurricane Alley."

Republican Thomas "Lane" Payne Jr. of Amite, a Christian minister, was also critical of Higgins' efforts on disaster recovery.

"The people of Lake Charles feel like they've been abandoned," Payne said. "It's devastating."

Jacob "Jake" Shaheen, a Republican and teacher from Lake Charles, also qualified to run against Higgins.

Despite a penchant for generating controversy, Higgins has been easily reelected twice after coming from nowhere to beat the established Republican candidates in 2016.

Read this:Surprise Republican candidate challenges GOP Congressman Higgins; party sticks with Clay

On Tuesday the Louisiana Republican Party issued a unanimous executive committee endorsement of Higgins, calling him "a strong conservative and outspoken voice for Louisianans" who supports oil and gas production and gun rights."

Qualifying for the Nov. 8 election continues Thursday and Friday.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.