Two [[African-American]] candidates are also challenging Higgins. Verone Thomas of [[Lake Charles]], a [[United States Navy]] veteran and [[business]]man, said the Third District is "sinking, and we need someone to patch the hole and guide us in the right direction." Larry Rader, an insurance agent from New Iberia who previoiusly sought the seat, is again running. After polling 9 percent of the ballots cast in 2016, Rader then endorsed Higgins in the runoff against Scott Angelle. Rader vowed to focus on diversification of the Louisiana economy and claims Higgins has not met the expectations Rader had for him in the previous runoff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/07/19/higgins-qualifies-re-election-trumps-blessing-via-tweet/799549002/|title="Higgins qualifies for re-election with Trump's blessing"|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|date=July 19,2 018|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|accessdate=July 20, 2018}}</ref> | Two [[African-American]] candidates are also challenging Higgins. Verone Thomas of [[Lake Charles]], a [[United States Navy]] veteran and [[business]]man, said the Third District is "sinking, and we need someone to patch the hole and guide us in the right direction." Larry Rader, an insurance agent from New Iberia who previoiusly sought the seat, is again running. After polling 9 percent of the ballots cast in 2016, Rader then endorsed Higgins in the runoff against Scott Angelle. Rader vowed to focus on diversification of the Louisiana economy and claims Higgins has not met the expectations Rader had for him in the previous runoff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/07/19/higgins-qualifies-re-election-trumps-blessing-via-tweet/799549002/|title="Higgins qualifies for re-election with Trump's blessing"|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|date=July 19,2 018|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|accessdate=July 20, 2018}}</ref> |