LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Rep. US Clay Higgins faces a fellow Republican and two Democratic challengers for his seat in the House of Representatives.

NOV. 5 ELECTIONS

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Higgins faces Republican Xan John and Democrats Priscilla Gonzales and Sadi Summerlin for the 3rd Congressional District.

Higgins, who has been endorsed by Republican leaders including former President Donald Trump and Gov. Jeff Landry, was first elected in 2016.

“I’m a constitutionalist, I’m not a big government guy. I think the fewer laws we have in DC, the better off America is,” Higgins said.

John declined an interview, but provided us with the following statement:

“If the Nov. 5 presidential election is stolen from Trump again like in 2020, then this once free Nation is completely screwed. Trump WILL win. Trump MUST stay alive. The election results MUST be announced on the night of the 5th and must not be altered to show their very real and very popular victory despite what social media and mainstream media show!”

Priscilla Gonzales is a former Texas resident who is running for mayor of Corpus Christi in 2020.

She also qualified to run for mayor-president of the city of Lafayette in 2023, but was removed from the ballot because she had not lived in Lafayette long enough to meet the requirements, nor had she filed her taxes for 2022.

Now he calls Lafayette home and believes the 3rd Congressional District is overdue for a change.

“So they put out these beautiful press releases that the public doesn’t have time to sink into, but I do. I worked on legislation. I helped promote the PACT Act. The PACT Act, which he voted against, is a law that actually helps veterans who are dying of lung cancer because they were exposed to toxic burn pits,” Gonzales said.

Summerlin is also originally from Texas, but has lived in southwest Louisiana for over a decade. She serves as a representative of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.

“I have a strong voice, I have a strong backbone, and I have a strong will, and you know, because the reason I’m running is to make this world a better place for all of us. , there is no going back on that, there is no concession on that. This is the goal. And I will work,” Summerlin said.

Summerlin said the public education system would be one of her biggest priorities if elected.

“With funding cut to public education, we are seeing the results. So I would really like to focus on making sure and ensuring that our young people get a quality education no matter where they live,” Summerlin said.

Gonzales said her main goal is to be more honest with voters.

“So my main goal if elected as a congresswoman is to be more transparent. Don’t lie to the public. Don’t waste taxpayer money sponsoring or even crafting legislation that is a lie,” Gonzales said.

According to John, he plans to fight any anti-gun legislation and hopes to crack down on cyber censorship.

Rep. Higgins says he will continue to fight for passage of the Social Security Equity Act, or HR 82.

“Public servants in Louisiana and many Americans across the country have been unfairly penalized by the provisions of the GPO and WEP. This injustice must be righted,” Higgins said in a statement.

7News asked each candidate about their stance on green energy as it becomes more prevalent in Louisiana.

“We’re known for oil and gas, but if you look at the main investors that will invest in things like greenhouse energy, it’s oil and gas companies. So the step forward is not to deny climate change and obviously it will affect our children and grandchildren,” Gonzales said.

“We also need to find a balance in terms of green energy and oil and gas, which would also open up more economic opportunities for people, because then it’s not just in the industries that we have here, but we can actually had more available for more people to level up. income jobs,” Summerlin said.

“Selling land? Selling prime farmland or renting prime farmland for solar panels? I think it’s a very bad idea. However, I do not support government mandates one way or the other. I think Americans should rule their land, make decisions. And I would only encourage you as your neighbor. Please God don’t rent your land to the solar guys,” Higgins said.

“America has more than enough oil and gas to be 100 percent energy independent. we must explore, drill, produce and work over our reserves – not depend on OPEC or “green energy,” John said in his remarks.

Summerlin talked about the 2020 hurricanes and said that if elected, she will make sure this district has more detailed hurricane plans.

“In terms of making sure people have transportation that people can use to get out of here, we have to have a place for them to go that doesn’t cost them hundreds of dollars every night they’re out and we need to make sure we have places where people can bring their dogs and cats with them,” Summerlin said.

Gonzales introduced a different idea that she plans to introduce if elected.

“I will reduce my salary. I will limit it to 40%. Forty grand, I don’t need a $100,000 salary to actually work for people and whatever is left of my salary. I’m going to forego the public vote, I’m going to give it to the parish that needs it the most,” Gonzales said.

One thing each candidate agrees on is the importance of letting your voice be heard, regardless of position.

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