Senator Bill Cassidy was one of seven Republicans to vote in favor of convicting former President Trump over allegations that he attempted to incite an insurrection on January 6th. That vote ultimately failed 57-43, coming up short of the two-thirds vote needed for a Senate conviction in an impeachment trial.
Some may be surprised by Cassidy’s vote but ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley noted that before becoming a US Senator Cassidy had a history of bucking the Republican Party line.
“When he first ran for the senate many conservative Republicans were uncomfortable because they felt he wasn’t conservative or Republican enough,” said Stockley. “This is a Senator who has displayed pragmatic and moderate tendencies in the past.”
Cassidy released a brief video statement after the vote saying “Our constitution and our country is more important than any one person. I voted to convict President Trump because he is guilty.”
Cassidy was quickly censured by the state GOP Executive Committee but Stockley doesn’t expect the Senator will face any long-term fallout.
“There’s a lot of Republicans still sore about the loss of President Trump and would probably like to see a bit more solidarity,” said Stockley.
The State GOP released a statement saying they condemn the vote in the “strongest possible terms”, and House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez tweeted Cassidy is “part of the problem with D.C. Don’t expect a warm welcome when you come home.”
Stockley said this vote likely bought Cassidy some favor with Democrats who currently control Congress and the White House.
“Senator Cassidy may be in a position to do more in a policy perspective for the state of Louisiana with this type of vote,” said Stockley.
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