Republican state Rep. Gabe Firment has advanced to a Dec. 12 runoff against Democratic state Rep. Patricia “Pat” Moore for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat following Tuesday’s Nov. 3 election.
According to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State, Moore led the nine-candidate field with 40,789 votes (18%), followed by Firment with 39,131 votes (17%).
The two candidates finished just 1,658 votes apart in a contest that drew 227,917 votes across the 24 parishes reporting results in the district.
With no candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote, Moore and Firment advance to a runoff election scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026.
Firment, a Republican from Pollock who represents District 22 in the Louisiana House of Representatives, finished ahead of several other Republican candidates, including Misti Cordell, who received 33,366 votes (15%), and state Rep. Michael Echols, who received 32,902 votes (14%).
Stewart Cathey Jr. followed with 28,160 votes (12%), while Democrat Antonio Wilson received 27,364 votes (12%).
The election was held to fill the congressional seat previously held by Julia Letlow, who pursued the U.S. Senate seat.
Unofficial 5th Congressional District Election Results
Reporting: Early and absentee complete — 24 of 24 parishes | Election Day — 791 of 791 precincts reporting
| Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Patricia “Pat” Moore (DEM) | 40,789 | 18% |
| “Gabe” Firment (REP) | 39,131 | 17% |
| Misti Cordell (REP) | 33,366 | 15% |
| Michael Echols (REP) | 32,902 | 14% |
| Stewart Cathey, Jr. (REP) | 28,160 | 12% |
| Antonio Wilson (DEM) | 27,364 | 12% |
| Dan McKay (DEM) | 16,047 | 7% |
| Austin Magee (REP) | 7,920 | 3% |
| Oscar “Omar” Dantzler (REP) | 2,238 | 1% |
| Total | 227,917 |
Unofficial Turnout: 47.1%
The two candidates advancing to the December runoff are shown in bold. Percentages are those reported by the Louisiana Secretary of State and may not total exactly 100% because of rounding.
December Runoff Will Decide Congressional Seat
The runoff will place Moore and Firment in a two-candidate contest to determine who represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Both candidates currently serve in the Louisiana House of Representatives, with Moore representing District 17 and Firment representing District 22.
The district includes portions of Northeast and Central Louisiana, along with additional parishes extending into the southeastern part of the state.
The runoff election is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026.
All results from the Nov. 3 election remain unofficial and subject to certification.
Source: Louisiana Secretary of State — Unofficial Election Results, Nov. 3, 2026.