The Republican Party of Louisiana has officially endorsed Misti Cordell in the District 5 congressional race, triggering immediate criticism from fellow Republican candidates who question the party’s selection process. Cordell, who serves as the chairwoman of the Louisiana Board of Regents, is competing in a crowded open primary scheduled in just over two months.
According to reports from the Louisiana Radio Network, Cordell welcomed the endorsement as a significant boost for her campaign. As a first-time candidate running in a field that includes six Republicans and three Democrats, Cordell noted that the party’s backing would help establish her credibility among voters. “This is my first race, so I’m not entirely sure folks take me extremely seriously; but I do believe that they will now,” Cordell said, describing herself as a representative who has been “one of the people” her entire life.
However, the decision has drawn sharp rebukes from other Republican contenders in the race. State Representative Gabe Firment expressed surprise at the timing and exclusivity of the endorsement, pointing out that the state party did not contact him to review his legislative record or policy positions before making the decision. Firment questioned the transparency of the endorsement, stating he wants insight into how the party evaluated candidates.
Another Republican candidate, Michael Echols, criticized the party’s leadership more directly, calling the endorsement “a sad day” for the Louisiana Republican Party. Echols stated that his campaign was entirely excluded from the decision-making process, warning that such closed-door arrangements could damage the party’s long-term prospects. Fellow Republican candidate Stewart Cathey did not respond to requests for comment.
The internal party friction highlights growing tension ahead of the open primary, where official party backing is highly influential but raises concerns about fairness among rival campaigns.