Bill Cassidy has represented Louisiana in the U.S. Senate since 2015, after serving three terms in the U.S. House. A physician by training, he started his career in public hospitals and community clinics, which still anchors his policy focus: healthcare access, addiction treatment, and mental health.
Cassidy positions himself as a problem-solver more than a showman. He puts a lot of emphasis on infrastructure, hurricane/flood recovery, energy jobs in the Gulf, and long-term coastal protection. He’s pitched himself as: keep Louisiana safe and employed, then argue ideology.
He’s also one of the more openly bipartisan Republicans on certain issues (infrastructure, mental health, disaster aid), which won him credibility with moderates but also drew angry blowback from parts of the MAGA base — especially after his vote to convict Trump in the second impeachment trial.
Moderate Republican
Achievements
- Helped secure billions in disaster recovery and flood control funding for Louisiana
- Major voice on coastal restoration and infrastructure hardening in the Gulf
- Co-sponsored bipartisan mental health, addiction treatment, and suicide prevention measures
- Worked on healthcare legislation framed as “fix it, not scrap it,” rather than pure repeal messaging
- Advocated for energy industry jobs while pitching “responsible transition” language to moderates
Controversies
- Faced intense backlash from Louisiana Republicans for voting to convict Donald Trump in the second impeachment trial
- Frustrated hardliners by engaging in bipartisan negotiations on infrastructure and health policy
- Criticized from the left for supporting fossil fuel expansion and industry protections in the Gulf
- Accused of being “too D.C.” and not combative enough on culture war issues
- Knocked by conservatives for supporting some COVID-era relief and stabilization measures
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ochsner Health System | $244,790 | $244,790 | $0 |
| Welsh, Carson et al | $218,580 | $218,580 | $0 |
| Cajun Industries | $173,650 | $173,650 | $0 |
| Edison Chouest Offshore | $130,700 | $130,700 | $0 |
| B&G Food Enterprises | $124,235 | $124,235 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2014 Margin R +11.9%
2020 Margin R +39.0%