Clay Higgins

Representative Clay Higgins is a Republican serving Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District, first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016 and assuming office in January 2017. Born in New Orleans and raised on a horse ranch near Covington, Louisiana, Higgins attended Louisiana State University where he studied political science. Before his career in law enforcement and politics, he served six years in the United States Army and the Louisiana National Guard as a Military Police Officer, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. Prior to entering Congress, Higgins worked in the private sector managing car dealerships and later began a career in law enforcement in 2004. He served as a patrol officer with the Opelousas and Port Barre police departments before joining the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office. He gained significant public attention as the public information officer for St. Landry Parish, where his "Crime Stoppers" videos earned him the nickname "the Cajun John Wayne" for his direct style and appeals for suspects to surrender. He remains a commissioned law enforcement officer, serving in a reserve capacity with the Louisiana Attorney General's office.

Higgins is a staunch advocate for limited government and federalism, frequently proposing legislation to dismantle federal agencies—including the Department of Education, the EPA, and FEMA—in favor of transferring those responsibilities to the states via block grants. As the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement, he prioritizes national sovereignty and the completion of a border wall. He is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, often opposing federal gun control measures and introducing bills to protect the firearms industry from discrimination. In the energy sector, Higgins advocates for American energy independence and supports the expansion of Louisiana's oil and gas production. His economic platform emphasizes fiscal conservatism, including repealing the estate tax and reducing federal spending. On healthcare, he supports withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization and opposes federal mandates. Additionally, he has introduced measures to protect the local seafood industry from foreign competition and has advocated for stricter mail-in ballot regulations to enhance election integrity.