Stewart
Cathey Jr.
Republican Louisiana state senator and Army veteran running for the U.S. House in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District in 2026
- sources
- 12
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 3
Background
Stewart Cathey Jr. is a Republican politician from Monroe, Louisiana, currently serving as the state senator for Louisiana Senate District 33, to which he was first elected in 2019. He chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development. 111
Before entering politics, Cathey served as a commissioned officer and Army engineer in the U.S. Army, including deployments to Afghanistan. After his military service, he worked in business development for a local manufacturer and later started a management-consulting business; his campaign biography describes him as an active small-business owner. 110
Cathey was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana, and attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He and his wife continue to reside in Monroe. 1
In 2026, Cathey filed as a Republican candidate for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, seeking to move from the state legislature to the U.S. House of Representatives. He is not the incumbent in that seat. 569
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 5, Louisiana
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Louisiana State Senator, District 33
- Website
- stewartcathey.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownendorsementCathey endorsed by Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority, LOGA, NorthPAC/LABI, and LMOGA
A voter-guide profile lists the Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority, the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, NorthPAC/Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, and the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association among Cathey's endorsements. The dates of individual endorsements were not established in the sources reviewed.
Stewart Cathey Jr. - State Senator, Dist. 33 - Voter Guide · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29debateCathey argues against heavy AI restrictions at ULM candidate forum
At a forum at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, Cathey warned that heavy restrictions on artificial intelligence could push developers abroad and create national-security risks, saying 'I'd rather them be here in America than in China.' He also favored developing small nuclear reactors to meet AI-related energy demand.
6 takeaways from the 5th Congressional District candidates' forum · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsCathey opposes increasing local governments' required share of disaster-response costs
In candidate coverage on federal disaster funding, Cathey said he did not favor increasing the required local-government cost share for disaster response, arguing that existing levels were adequate.
Louisiana congressional candidates weigh in on federal ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22newsCathey and Republican candidates back Trump's Iran war decision
Reporting by The Center Square and the Shreveport Times confirmed that Cathey, along with other Republican candidates at the forum, expressed support for President Donald Trump's decision to go to war with Iran.
Louisiana congressional candidates clash over Trump, Iran ... · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21debateCathey supports U.S. goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons at PAR forum
At a Public Affairs Research Council forum, Cathey said policy toward Iran should use 'economic pressure, diplomacy, and when necessary our national security capabilities.' He and other Republicans at the forum supported President Trump's decision to go to war with Iran.
5th District candidates disagree on Iran war, public food ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 14newsCathey stresses rural health care access as a top district priority
In coverage of candidates' views on rural health care, Cathey argued that preserving access to rural providers should be a priority, saying businesses want to invest in communities with health care access. He also noted Louisiana had not closed a rural hospital in the prior 10 years.
5th District candidates stress rural healthcare investment, Medicaid access • Louisiana Illuminator · Sep 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 18newsCathey raised ~$14,000 with ~$13,000 cash on hand; $36,000 in outside spending supporting him
FEC reports through July 18 showed Cathey had raised approximately $14,000, spent $335, and had roughly $13,000 cash on hand. Outside groups reported $36,000 in spending supporting him and none opposing him.
Stewart Cathey (R) — 2026 Candidate, Louisiana's 5th District | ChamberLight · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 10filingStewart Cathey Jr. announces candidacy for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District
Cathey, a Republican state senator, announced his candidacy for the open 5th District seat, which became available because Rep. Julia Letlow is running for U.S. Senate. The announcement date is confirmed by ChamberLight's listing of the NOLA.com report, though detailed priorities were not available in the sources reviewed.
Stewart Cathey (R) — 2026 Candidate, Louisiana's 5th District | ChamberLight · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA) organizationListed on iVoterGuide as reported by candidate; no date confirmed. ivoterguide.com
- Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority organizationListed on iVoterGuide as reported by candidate; no date confirmed. ivoterguide.com
- NorthPAC / Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI) organizationListed on iVoterGuide as reported by candidate; no date confirmed. ivoterguide.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $14K
- Spent
- $335
- Cash on hand
- $13K
As of Jul 18, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6LA05184(opens in a new tab)
Sources 12
- [1] Stewart Cathey Jr. - State Senator, Dist. 33 - Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Stewart Cathey (R) — 2026 Candidate, Louisiana's 5th District | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [3] 6 takeaways from the 5th Congressional District candidates' forum(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [4] Candidates in 5th Congressional District race discuss AI and ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [5] Stewart Cathey Jr. drops out of District 5 Congressional race, says Trump endorsed wrong candidate(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [6] Louisiana congressional candidates weigh in on federal ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [7] Louisiana congressional candidates clash over Trump, Iran ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [8] 5th District candidates disagree on Iran war, public food ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [9] 5th District candidates stress rural healthcare investment, Medicaid access • Louisiana Illuminator(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [10] Stewart Cathey — 2026 Louisiana's 5th Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 1, 2026
- [11] North Louisiana lawmaker joins race for Congress in 5th District(opens in a new tab) Jul 8, 2026
- [12] Candidates make their cases during UP Political Forum - fgazette.com(opens in a new tab) Sep 2, 2023