Former congressmen rally behind Holden Hoggatt in bid to upset Rep. Clay Higgins

Republican prosecutor Holden Hoggatt has secured the support of three former Louisiana members of Congress in his bid to upset incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins in the Nov. 8 election.

All three - former Republican Congressman Charles Boustany, former Democratic Congressman Chris John and former U.S. Sen. John Breaux - have Acadiana roots.

Just before Hoggatt's press conference in Lafayette Monday, Higgins announced his own endorsements from the top two Republican leaders in the U.S. House - Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

Hoggatt has described Higgins as "fringe conspiracy theorist" and "embarrassment" and accuses him of failing the 3rd Congressional District in securing adequate disaster aid following a string of devastating hurricanes.

Despite a penchant for generating controversy, Higgins has been easily reelected twice after coming from nowhere to beat the established Republican candidates in 2016.

“Today I’m proud to receive the endorsement of leaders who ushered in historic prosperity for our families and businesses, and showed up for our families on good days and bad for more than 50 years of combined service in Congress,” Hoggatt said in news release.

During those five decades of leadership for our families, their impact has transcended partisanship because our families and businesses mattered more to them than anything else. They funded major infrastructure projects, supported our oil and gas production, our farmers and our small businesses, improved national security during turbulent times, led us through military conflict, economic crisis, political turmoil and all while making our families proud.”

Breaux served in Congress from 1972-2005, first as in the House and then in the Senate.

“When you get elected to serve in Congress you serve all the people, Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, Black and white, all creeds and beliefs," he said in a statement. "I believe Holden Hoggatt will be a congressman who makes all of us proud.”

Boustany served as the 3rd Congressional District's representative from 2005-2017 but gave up his seat for an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate.

“During my time in Congress I saw who got the work done for their constituents," Boustany said in a statement. "I know that you can lead as a conservative, and do it well, only when you are focused on service, not self promotion,” he said in a statement.

John served in the U.S. House from 1997-2005 and also previously served as president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association.

"In Congress you represent the people, not single party and not a single cause," he said in a statement. "From the Cowboys of McNeese to the Ragin’ Cajuns of UL our district is as unique as our entire state and we need a Congressman who will work for all of us to focus on our farmers, protecting our coast and supporting American energy production.”

Higgins has secured the endorsement of the Louisiana Republican Party and most of his Republican Louisiana colleagues in the House as well as former President Donald Trump.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. 

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Past congressmen rally behind Holden Hoggatt in bid to upset Clay Higgins