A growing coalition of candidates has formally joined a federal lawsuit seeking to restore Louisiana’s suspended congressional primary elections, although early voting continues through Saturday, May 9.
The lawsuit, led by Lindsay “Rubia” Garcia, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, and Eugene Collins, plaintiff and voter, challenges the State’s decision to suspend the May 16 and June 27, 2026 congressional primary elections after voting had already begun. It was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana with the goal to “protect the constitutional rights of voters and candidates across the state.”
Voters are being encouraged to still vote early this week or on Election Day May 16. Ballots will include congressional, state, and local candidates as well as amendments.
Lindsay Rubia Garcia[/caption]
These candidates have now joined the suite as Plaintiffs:
Cleo Fields, U.S. Congressman
Jessee Fleenor, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Dan McKay, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Larry Foy, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Matt Gromlich, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Conrad Cable, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
John Day, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Lauren Jewett, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Jamie Davis, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Nick Albares, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Gary Crockett, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
The lawsuit claims the suspension of elections mid-cycle violates the U.S. Constitution ---specifically the First, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments--- as well as federal election laws governing the timing and administration of congressional elections.
In a news release Sunday, May 3, Garcia stated: “This case is about protecting the integrity of our democracy. You cannot change the rules in the middle of an election and expect voters or candidates to accept it. People have already voted, and candidates have already invested in this process. The Constitution does not allow the State to move the goalposts after the election has begun.”
“This is about fairness, the rule of law, and the rights of the people. Candidates across Louisiana relied on this election in good faith. When elections are disrupted midstream, it doesn’t just hurt campaigns, it undermines public confidence in the entire system,” stated Collins.
The lawsuit seeks immediate injunctive relief to restore the full May 16, 2026 election ballot and protect the rights of qualified candidates to remain on the ballot. It also seeks to Ensure all properly cast ballots are counted and prevent further disruption of the electoral process.
Separately, the ACLU, Louisiana NAACP, the League of Women Voters, individual voters and several civil rights group have filed a petition in district court seeking to block the governor’s move to delay the elections. Voting rights advocates said the case continues to build momentum as a unified effort to defend the integrity of Louisiana’s elections and prevent voter disenfranchisement.
“Governors do not get to cancel elections by executive fiat, least of all elections that are already underway, with ballots in voters’ hands and votes already cast,” said Lali Madduri, partner at Elias Law Group which filed a petition in the 19th Judicial District Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge on behalf of the National Council of Jewish Women – Greater New Orleans Section and three Louisiana voters who have already cast mail ballots. “Under Louisiana law, the Legislature sets the state’s election calendar, and the governor’s emergency authority is reserved for genuine emergencies that threaten public safety. The Callais decision did not order this election to be canceled, nor did it authorize the Governor to do so. What Governor Landry is attempting is unlawful and a direct assault on the right to vote.” In that case, Judge Bardley Myers denied the restraining order, and ordered state leaders named in the lawsuit to argue on May 6 why a preliminary injunction should not be issued to stop enforcement of the Governor’s order.
“This is bigger than any one campaign. This is about protecting the democratic process itself,” Collins said.
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