By: JD Lavergne
As of February 27, 2025, Senator Bill Cassidy, one of two Republicans representing Louisiana in the US Senate, finds himself navigating turbulent political waters. Once regarded as a steady, pragmatic voice within the GOP, Cassidy’s approval among his constituents and party base has taken a significant hit in recent months. This decline stems largely from his handling of high-profile issues, notably his pivotal role in advancing controversial Trump administration nominees and his perceived wavering on core Republican priorities. With his reelection looming in 2026, Cassidy’s high disapproval rating signals a challenging road ahead.
The RFK Jr. Nomination: A Turning Point
One of the most significant contributors to Senator Bill Cassidy’s current unpopularity is his involvement in the confirmation process of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a medical doctor and chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Cassidy was thrust into the spotlight when President Donald Trump nominated RKF, a known vaccine skeptic, to lead the nation’s top health agency. Cassidy’s initial public reservations about RFK’s anti-vaccine stance resonated with many in the medical community and moderates who valued his background as a physician. However, his eventual decision to cast the deciding vote in favor of advancing RFK’s nomination in the Senate Finance Committee on February 4, 2025, sparked outrage among various factions.
For Louisiana’s conservative base, Cassidy’s hesitation and subsequent capitulation showed a lack of loyalty to Trump’s agenda. Influential voices within the MAGA wing, such as Representative Clay Higgins, publicly criticized him. Higgins warned Cassidy on social media, “Vote your conscience Senator, or don’t. Either way, we’re watching.” This sentiment was echoed by grassroots activists and Trump allies like Charlie Kirk, who expressed frustration with Cassidy’s reluctance to fully embrace RFK’s nomination without extracting concessions. These critics view Senator Bill Cassidy’s actions as emblematic of a broader disloyalty, a narrative reinforced by his 2021 vote to convict Trump during the former president’s second impeachment trial—a move that earned him a censure from the Louisiana Republican Party and the label “disloyal lightweight” from Trump himself.
Louisiana’s Shifting Political Landscape
Cassidy’s troubles are compounded by the political dynamics of Louisiana, a deep-red state that overwhelmingly supported Trump in the 2024 election by a margin of 22 points. Any deviation from the Trump-aligned GOP orthodoxy in this environment is a liability. His vote to advance RFK may have been an attempt to align himself with the president’s agenda, but it has not erased the memory of past transgressions in the eyes of the party’s base. Articles from outlets like the Louisiana Illuminator have noted that Cassidy is already viewed as an unfavored incumbent with potential primary challengers circling ahead of 2026. The reintroduction of the Supporting Made in America Energy Act, which Cassidy co-sponsored to boost oil and gas production, appears to be a calculated move to win back favor with Louisiana’s energy-focused electorate. Still, it remains to be seen whether this will offset broader discontent.
Adding to his woes, Louisiana’s recent decision under Surgeon General Ralph Abraham to halt the promotion of mass vaccination—a policy shift announced on February 13, 2025—put Cassidy in an awkward position. Despite his vote for RFK, Senator Bill Cassidy publicly called this move a “disservice to parents who want to keep their children healthy,” highlighting a disconnect between his stance and his state’s leadership. This dissonance has fueled perceptions of Cassidy as out of touch with his party’s direction and his constituents’ priorities.
The Roger Wilder Mardi Gras Ticket Controversy
Adding fuel to the fire of Senator Bill Cassidy’s waning popularity is a recent incident involving State Representative Roger Wilder, a Republican from Denham Springs. In late January 2025, Cassidy allegedly used his influence within The Mystick Krewe of Louisianians—the organization behind the prestigious Washington, D.C., Mardi Gras Ball—to revoke Wilder’s tickets to the event. The annual ball, a bipartisan celebration of Louisiana culture held at the Washington Hilton, is a high-profile gathering for the state’s political elite. Source emails indicate that Cassidy’s decision stemmed from Wilder’s private comments to friends expressing support for State Senator Blake Miguez, who has signaled his intent to challenge Cassidy in the 2026 Republican primary. Wilder reportedly touted Miguez as a “proven, battle-tested conservative” while criticizing Cassidy’s 2021 impeachment vote against Trump.
Wilder confirmed the revocation after arriving in D.C., telling reporters he received an email from Cassidy’s staff informing him his tickets were canceled and his payment refunded. “Yes, my D.C. Mardi Gras tickets were revoked for being honest about Sen. Cassidy’s impeachment vote,” Wilder said, adding with a jab, “No worries. Perhaps I’ll have his ticket in 2026!” When questioned at the event, Cassidy denied personally ordering the revocation, though his role as a key planner of the festivities has kept the controversy tied to his name. Political analysts have decried the move as petty, with one noting, “The D.C. Mardi Gras Ball is about celebrating Louisiana, not settling political scores.” The incident has further alienated Cassidy from the conservative wing of his party, amplifying perceptions of vindictiveness and weakness as he faces a potential primary fight.
Broader Implications and Public Perception
Public opinion polls offer a glimpse into Cassidy’s predicament. Within Louisiana, his disapproval rating appears to be climbing, driven by conservative frustration and moderate disillusionment. Political analysts suggest that Cassidy’s tightrope walk—balancing his medical expertise with political expediency—has left him vulnerable to criticism from all sides.
Senator Bill Cassidy’s defenders argue that his actions reflect a sincere effort to bridge divides and promote practical outcomes, such as his focus on combating chronic disease through RFK’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Yet, this narrative struggles to gain traction with conservatives.
The Road Ahead
As Senator Bill Cassidy looks toward his reelection bid, his high disapproval rating poses a formidable obstacle. The RFK saga has crystallized long-standing tensions between his identity as a doctor and his role as a politician in a Trump-dominated GOP. Whether he can repair his standing with Louisiana voters—through policy wins, alignment with popular state issues like energy, or a more decisive embrace of the party line—remains uncertain. For now, Cassidy’s political future hangs in the balance, or in this case, “the unbalance.”
