Julie Emerson

Julie Emerson
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from the 39th district
In office
January 2016 – February 11, 2026
Preceded byStephen Ortego
Succeeded byDoyle Boudreaux
Personal details
Born (1988-02-29) February 29, 1988
PartyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Louisiana, Lafayette (BS)
University of South Carolina (MBA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Julie Cathryn Emerson (born 1988) is an politician from Carencro, Louisiana, United States. Emerson is a former Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 39 in Lafayette and St. Landry parishes in South Louisiana, and was a candidate for the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Louisiana.

Electoral history

On January 11, 2016, she succeeded incumbent Democratic Representative Stephen Ortego, whom she unseated in the primary election held on October 24, 2015. Emerson polled 6,149 votes (51 percent) to Ortego's 5,902 (49 percent).[1]

In 2019, Emerson was re-elected for a second term. She won re-election with 70% of the vote.[2]

In 2023, Emerson was re-elected for a third term, garnering 72% of the vote against Mckinley James Jr., a Democrat who received 28% of the vote.[3]

In October 2025, Emerson announced she would challenge Bill Cassidy for his seat in the United States Senate.[4][5] She ended her campaign in January 2026.[6]

In February 2026, Emerson resigned from the Louisiana House of Representatives in order to become chief of staff to governor Jeff Landry.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  2. ^ "Results for Election Date: 10/12/2019". Louisiana Secretary of State.
  3. ^ "ELECTION RESULTS 2023: LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE". KATC. October 15, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  4. ^ LaRose, Greg (October 27, 2025). "Rep. Julie Emerson enters field to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy • Louisiana Illuminator". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  5. ^ "Julie Emerson enters U.S. Senate race, challenging Sen. Bill Cassidy for Louisiana seat". wwltv.com. October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  6. ^ "State Rep. Julie Emerson ends bid for US Senate". lailluminator.com. January 23, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  7. ^ "Election set to replace Carencro legislator". KATC3. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.