LA State lawmaker claims Cassidy revoked his D.C. Mardi Gras ball tickets over politics

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — An intra-party battle is brewing among Louisiana Republicans ahead of the 2026 U.S. Senate race. The first skirmish is playing out over Washington Mardi Gras ball tickets.

State Rep. Roger Wilder, R-Denham Springs, says his tickets to the ball were revoked after he privately expressed support for state Sen. Blake Miguez, R-Lafayette, who is considering challenging U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy in the 2026 election.

Wilder said he had already arrived in D.C. for the event when he received an email from a member of Cassidy’s congressional staff informing him he would receive a refund for his tickets.

“I think it’s petty,” Wilder said in an interview. “This is supposed to be an event celebrating Louisiana, and now we have a distraction.”

In an interview at the Washington Hilton, where the annual week-long political bash is held, Cassidy denied revoking the tickets. As one of the senators for Louisiana, Cassidy is directly involved in the planning of Washington Mardi Gras festivities. The Mystick Krewe of Louisianians, which puts on the event, is currently celebrating its 75th year.

Cassidy, a moderate Republican, drew the ire of conservatives in his party after he voted to convict President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial in 2021 over his involvement in the attempted insurrection on Jan. 6. He is facing a primary challenge from state Treasurer John Fleming, and Miguez has said he is seriously considering entering the race.

“[Wilder] will be the first to have premium seating [at the ball] in 2027,” Miguez said when asked about the ticket tiff, implying he would replace Cassidy and thus be involved in planning Washington Mardi gras.

Despite backlash from the ultra-conservative wing in the party, Cassidy has put up strong fundraising numbers ahead of the race. Campaign finance records show him with more than $6 million on hand.

What’s different about the 2026 election is the introduction of closed primaries.

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In states with closed primaries systems, voters tend to be more polarized than in the general election, meaning a conservative challenger could have a better chance in unseating their more moderate intra-party rival.

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