Louisiana Republican Senate nominee?
$750.5K
JUN 27, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age38 years old (Feb 29, 1988)
GenderFemale
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LocationLouisiana
BackgroundPolitician
EducationWestminster Christian Academy
Notable personal detailsJulie Cathryn Emerson is a Louisiana Republican politician and communications strategist who served in the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 39 (Lafayette and St. Landry parishes) from January 2016 to February 11, 2026. She founded Lagniappe Communications Group and has worked as its chief strategist. Emerson was chair of the Louisiana House Committee on Ways and Means and later became chief of staff to Governor Jeff Landry in 2026. She previously ran as a challenger in the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Louisiana.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
The candidate has led and authored major state tax-cut initiatives, including a 3% flat income-tax reduction, proposals to phase out or eliminate the state income tax, and elimination of the corporate franchise tax to make Louisiana more business‑friendly. She has publicly stated a goal of eventually eliminating the state income tax and advocated continued tax reductions to attract investment and improve competitiveness. Her record as chair of the House Ways & Means Committee emphasizes lowering taxes and reducing business tax burdens.
Healthcare
Julie Emerson has sponsored and cosponsored state legislation addressing specific health policy issues (e.g., Medicaid dental coverage for certain adults, maternity services, PBM transparency) and has supported measures limiting vaccine verification requirements. Her record shows engagement on targeted healthcare policies rather than advocacy for broad federal expansions (Medicare for All) or for full ACA repeal. Overall her positions reflect issue-specific reforms without a clear single overarching stance on universal coverage or major federal healthcare restructuring.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports strong restrictions on abortion, including legislation that enforces near-total bans and limits access to medication abortion; has sponsored and stewarded bills that tighten regulation and civil penalties related to abortion and abortion drugs.
Climate & Energy
Supports revitalizing and defending Louisiana’s oil and gas industry, favors cutting regulatory red tape for energy producers and prioritizing energy jobs and infrastructure investment rather than aggressive emissions regulation or fossil-fuel phaseout.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports Second Amendment rights and has an A rating from the NRA. As a state representative she sponsored and supported bills expanding concealed-carry provisions and other firearm-related legislation. Her public materials emphasize defending gun rights while supporting law enforcement.
News
Julie Emerson is in the news as Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race moves into a closed-party primary, with voters who are registered with no party required to declare a party choice before voting. The election is also unfolding amid major voting-rule and redistricting changes in Louisiana, including a Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state’s second majority-Black congressional district and could affect how future maps are drawn. Broader debates over mail-in voting, election rules, and health care costs are also shaping the political environment around the race.
No party voters face special process before Saturday vote
State lawmakers push to expand laws allowing guns on college campuses
First reaction of those paying higher health premiums
Supreme Court ruling weakens protections against race discrimination in political redistricting
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements