John Calvin Fleming Jr. is a 74-year-old physician, entrepreneur, military veteran, and current Louisiana State Treasurer (2024-present). Fleming served in the U.S. House representing Louisiana's 4th Congressional District from 2009 to 2017, serving four terms. During his House tenure, he was a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus alongside Jim Jordan, Ron DeSantis, and Mark Meadows. After leaving Congress, Fleming served in the Trump administration in multiple capacities: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health Information Technology Reform at HHS, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, and Deputy Chief of Staff to President Trump (2020-2021). Fleming remained at the White House until the last day of Trump's first term on January 20, 2021. He was elected Louisiana State Treasurer in 2023 with over 65% of the vote in the November runoff.
John Fleming was born July 5, 1951, in Meridian, Mississippi. He grew up in a working-class home where his father died of a heart attack while Fleming was still in high school. He was the only breadwinner's loss with a disabled mother and two younger siblings depending on him. Fleming funded his education through odd jobs and loans, attending the University of Mississippi where he earned a B.S. degree (1973). He later attended medical school at the University of Mississippi's Jackson campus, earning an M.D. He completed a residency in Family Medicine and served as a Naval Medical Officer, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After leaving the military, he established a private medical practice in Minden, Louisiana, where he resides today. He founded and operates multiple commercial real estate and multi-unit franchise businesses employing over 350 Louisianans. Fleming has been married to his wife Cindy for 47 years and has four grown children and six grandchildren. He was first elected to Congress in 2008 and served until 2017, taking a brief hiatus before joining the Trump administration. He was elected Louisiana State Treasurer in 2023 with over 65% in the runoff and took office in January 2024.
Strongest Trump loyalist among major Republican candidates; remained in White House until final day of Trump term
Emphasized staying with Trump after January 6, 2021, when others left; claims to be last staffer to depart
Voting History: House Freedom Caucus founder; 97% conservative voting record in House
Strong border security advocate
Campaign emphasizes securing borders; part of House Freedom Caucus conservative voting
Voting History: Achieved A+ score supporting anti-illegal immigration legislation
Strongly opposed to CCS projects
Fleming told Alexandria Kiwanis Club he is 'strongly opposed to carbon capture and sequestration projects in Louisiana' - distinguishing position from Cassidy
Voting History: Primary distinguishing policy position vs. Cassidy
Strong Second Amendment supporter
Campaign claims to have 'passed a federal pro-second amendment law'
Voting History: House Freedom Caucus co-founder; Second Amendment advocacy
Staunch opponent of abortion
Campaign identifies Fleming as 'a staunch opponent of abortion'
Voting History: House voting record aligned with pro-life positions
Fleming served 8 years in U.S. House (2009-2017) with lifetime 97% conservative voting record. OpenSecrets data from 2016 shows 34.75% from large individual contributions, 30.01% other sources, 24.81% candidate self-financing, 8.56% small contributions (<$200), 1.84% PACs. No recent federal data available as House member.
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Freedom Caucus Founding | Co-founder with Jim Jordan, Ron DeSantis, Mark Meadows | Founding member | 2015-01-01 | Co-founded conservative House Freedom Caucus; leadership position in conservative movement |
Campaign messaging emphasizes personal overcoming narrative and Trump loyalty rather than policy differentiation. Less aggressive on social media than opponents.
Fleming wanted job in Trump administration and it was rejected, so now he's running for Senate after less than a year as State Treasurer
Cassidy campaign spokesman statement questioning Fleming's commitment to treasurer role
Fleming 'may not be fit for office'
Landry response after Fleming criticized the governor for meddling in election