Clay Higgins is widely known by his viral nickname, the "Cajun John Wayne," a moniker he earned as a Crime Stoppers spokesman for the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, where his menacing, unscripted videos warning criminals to "pack a lunch" made him an internet sensation.

He represents Louisiana’s 3rd District, the heart of Acadiana (Cajun Country). The district includes Lafayette and Lake Charles and is the epicenter of the American energy industry, hosting critical Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export terminals in Cameron Parish.

A former U.S. Army Military Police officer and SWAT operator, Higgins brings a "street cop" intensity to Washington. He serves on the House Oversight Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, using the gavel to aggressively investigate federal agencies like the FBI and DHS.

His legislative style is defined by his staunch defense of American sovereignty and the fossil fuel industry. He was instrumental in pushing for the approval of major LNG projects like Venture Global CP2 and Commonwealth LNG, arguing that exporting Louisiana natural gas is a geopolitical weapon against adversaries like Russia.

"He went from making viral videos in a sheriff's uniform to grilling federal agents in a suit. Clay Higgins is the 'Cajun John Wayne' who views his seat in Congress as just a bigger beat to patrol."

Clay Higgins: The Officer from Acadiana

Representative Clay Higgins has one of the most distinct paths to Congress in modern history. He didn't rise through the state legislature or the boardroom; he rose through YouTube. As the Public Information Officer for the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, Higgins began filming Crime Stoppers segments that broke every rule of police PR. Instead of dryly reading a script, he stared into the camera, addressed suspects by name, and delivered ominous, biblical warnings like, "You will be hunted. You will be trapped." The videos garnered millions of views globally, earning him the nickname "Cajun John Wayne."

However, his law enforcement career ended in controversy. In 2016, he resigned from the Sheriff's Office after a video targeting the "Gremlins" street gang drew criticism for its dehumanizing language (calling suspects "animals" and "heathens"). Higgins famously announced his resignation on the courthouse steps, declaring, "I will not kneel." That moment of defiance launched his political career. He ran for Congress later that year as an outsider and won decisively in a crowded field.

In Washington, Higgins has maintained that same confrontational, unscripted energy. He is a senior member of the House Oversight Committee, where his interrogations of witnesses often go viral for their intensity and cryptic phrasing. He previously served on the Homeland Security Committee but withdrew in 2025 to focus on his Oversight role, citing ideological differences with the committee's direction.

His primary policy focus is the Energy Sector. His district is the "Saudi Arabia of Natural Gas," home to massive LNG export terminals that ship American energy to Europe and Asia. Higgins views these terminals as vital national security assets, successfully lobbying the Trump administration to approve projects like the Venture Global CP2 facility in Cameron Parish. For Higgins, energy independence is the ultimate form of national security.

District Context: Louisiana 3rd (U.S. Census Data) "Cajun Country": This district covers the southwest corner of Louisiana, known as Acadiana. It is the cultural home of the Cajun people, famous for French dialects, zydeco music, and world-class cuisine (crawfish, boudin, gumbo).

Population: ~776,000.

The "Energy Corridor": The district's economy is inextricably linked to Oil & Gas.

Port of Lake Charles: A top-ranking U.S. port for energy exports.

Cameron Parish: The site of mul...