Louisiana House candidate accused of rape hopes to regain Trump's endorsement

Blake Miguez, a Republican Louisiana state senator running for a US House seat, who faces a rape accusation from a 2007 police report (no charges filed, he denies it), stated he hopes to once again secure Donald Trump's endorsement. Miguez is considering running in one of two districts – neither of which he resides in, though he is eligible – after the Supreme Court's Callais v. Louisiana decision prompted swift redrawing of the state's congressional map.

Miguez had earned Trump's backing for the previous 5th district, but the endorsement became moot after redistricting. A campaign spokesperson said Miguez hopes to "earn it again" after announcing under new lines. A White House spokesperson clarified Trump has not formally rescinded endorsement, but will evaluate candidates after the qualifying period.

Miguez's campaign also faced scrutiny following an Atlantic report that he did not disclose the 2007 rape allegation to Trump's team. The report, independently obtained by The Guardian, never led to charges. Miguez categorically denied the claim. A rival's spokesperson, Lionel Rainey, dismissed blaming redistricting for uncertainty over Trump's support.

The allegation stems from a woman who claimed Miguez raped her in late August 2007 after a night of drinking in Erath, Louisiana. The police report quoted her not wanting to press charges to avoid getting him in trouble. Miguez's campaign responded by linking to a local news article where the accuser's family questioned her credibility, citing mental health and substance abuse issues, and circulated an email from her father calling her claims lies.

Miguez won a state senate seat in 2023 after over eight years in the state house. He entered the race for the seat vacated by Julia Letlow, who won a Senate primary with Trump's backing. Under the post-Callais map, Erath remains outside the 5th district, while the new 6th district includes Baton Rouge. Incumbent Democrat Cleo Fields said he won't seek re-election in the 6th. House candidates need only live in the same state, not the district. Miguez's campaign declined to specify which district he will target when qualifying opens August 5.