Bill Cassidy is a physician and two-term U.S. Senator from Louisiana who was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2020 with 59.3% of the vote. He previously served in the Louisiana State Senate (2006-2008) and the U.S. House representing Louisiana's 6th Congressional District (2009-2015). Cassidy co-founded the Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic and worked in charity hospitals early in his medical career. He currently serves as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and has focused on healthcare reform, prescription drug costs, and mental health legislation.
William "Bill" Cassidy, M.D., was born and educated in Louisiana, earning both his bachelor's degree and medical degree from Louisiana State University. Before entering politics, he worked as a physician and co-founded the Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic, demonstrating commitment to healthcare service. His career in public service began in the Louisiana State Senate (2006-2008) before moving to Congress representing Louisiana's 6th District (2009-2015). He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, defeating incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu, and was re-elected in 2020 with 59.3% in a four-way race. Cassidy is 68 years old and has become known as a healthcare expert within the Republican caucus, chairing the HELP Committee in the 119th Congress.
Support for traditional education focus; recently outlined priorities including addressing declining child literacy, improving dyslexia support, and examining antisemitism on college campuses
Cassidy has shifted focus to education priorities as chair of Senate HELP Committee
Voting History: Supported CHIPS and Science Act, which included diversity-related provisions later criticized by some conservatives
Strong supporter of Louisiana oil and gas industry
Co-sponsored Supporting Made in America Energy Act; advocates for more federal lease sales
Voting History: Supported energy-focused legislation benefiting Louisiana's economy
Supports healthcare reform focused on prescription drug costs; cautious on vaccine policy changes
Voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS secretary despite concerns about Kennedy's anti-vaccine stance. Has since criticized Kennedy's decision to end hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for newborns.
Voting History: Voted to confirm Kennedy as HHS secretary; criticized subsequent vaccine policy changes
Listed as key campaign issue
Campaign website emphasizes border security
Voting History: Supported bipartisan gun safety bill and bipartisan infrastructure legislation
Attempted to repair relationship with Trump after 2021 impeachment vote
Cassidy has increasingly aligned with Trump agenda since Trump's 2024 election victory, featuring Trump photos on social media
Voting History: Previously critical of Trump; now providing crucial votes for Trump administration nominees
Cassidy has maintained a generally conservative voting record with some independence on key Trump-related votes. He missed 4.1% of roll call votes from 2009-2026 (worse than median for current senators). As of 2024, his Heritage Action scorecard rated him at 72%. AFL-CIO scored him 29% in alignment with working people priorities.
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impeachment (2021) | Vote to convict Trump for incitement of insurrection | Yea | 2021-02-13 | One of only 7 Republican senators to vote guilty; led to Louisiana GOP censure and became central issue in 2026 race |
| Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act | Bipartisan infrastructure legislation | Yea | 2021-08-10 | Cassidy was original negotiator and prominent Republican advocate; included equity provisions opponents cite as DEI-related |
| CHIPS and Science Act | Semiconductor and science funding | Yea | 2022-08-09 | Supported legislation with diversity-related requirements; Cassidy later criticized Commerce Department for adding additional equity requirements |
| RFK Jr. Confirmation | Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary | Yea | 2025-01-20 | Provided crucial support despite vaccine concerns; has since publicly criticized Kennedy's vaccine policy decisions |
| Safer Communities Act | Bipartisan gun safety bill | Yea | 2022-06-24 | One of 15 Senate Republicans supporting legislation; cited as evidence of support for 'progressive agenda' by opponents |
| FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act | Defense authorization creating Chief Diversity Officers | Yea | 2020-12-11 | Created diversity officer positions later eliminated by Trump administration; used by opponents as example of DEI support |
Social media tone emphasizes working relationship with Trump administration and local constituency service, contrasting with campaign messages about healthcare independence. Uses Trump imagery prominently to counter criticism about insufficient Trump loyalty.
Photo with Trump in Oval Office with caption 'Great to be with @POTUS in the Oval Office today! This is what a great working relationship looks like.'
Attempting to demonstrate strong Trump relationship despite past criticism
View post →Response to Letlow's announcement acknowledging her call, saying she respected him and he had done good job, expressing confidence in re-election
Maintaining positive public posture toward primary opponent while expressing confidence
View post →A state as conservative as ours shouldn't have to wonder how our senator will vote when pressure is on; Louisiana deserves a senator who will not waver
Letlow's central campaign message attacking Cassidy for inconsistency and lack of unwavering conservatism
Cassidy backed DEI initiatives and traded stocks like Nancy Pelosi
Attack ads comparing Cassidy to Democratic figures; Cassidy's campaign denied involvement in specific attack billboard
Cassidy has failed the people of Louisiana and supports elements of Biden's progressive agenda
Fleming cited Cassidy's votes on gun safety bill and infrastructure bill as evidence of alignment with Democratic priorities
Cassidy blocked effort to add conservative judge to federal court in Baton Rouge
Governor Jeff Landry made this claim; Cassidy responded that the district hasn't had a vacancy since he took office in 2015
Cassidy is one of worst senators and a TOTAL FLAKE; is shunned in his own state as disloyal
Trump attack posts from April 2024 targeting Cassidy's impeachment vote and lack of loyalty