Changes

==Background==

==Background==

Some of Higgins' Crime Stoppers skits have been carried on [[NBC]]'s ''The Tonight Show'', starring Jimmy Fallon.<ref name=cajunjohnwayne/> Though he has been accused by the [[interest group]], the [[American Civil Liberties Union]], of bias against lawbreakers, whom Higgins has dubbed "animals," "thugs," and "heathens."<ref name=lafyadv>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2016/05/05/clay-higgins-says-he-may-run-congress-senate/83979304/|title=Clay Higgins to announce run for public office tonight|author=Seth Dickerson|publisher=''The Lafayette Advertiser''|date=May 18, 2016|accessdate=July 11, 2016}}</ref> With a  "country bumpkin drill-sergeant persona," Higgins emphasizes that his focus is on criminals.<ref name=cajunjohnwayne/> One of the videos features an outraged Higgins threatening the burglar who broke into a popular restaurant in Opelousas. Clarence Lazard, an [[African-American]] [[Baptist]] pastor who supports Higgins' videos, describes Higgins as "a unique gentleman who's not scared to say what he thinks." Though he is often referred to as a [[Cajun]], Higgins is actually of [[Ireland|Irish]] descent.<ref name=cajunjohnwayne>"Cajun John Wayne seeks U.S. House seat", ''San Antonio Express-News'', [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], July 3, 2016, p. A25</ref>

Some of Higgins' Crime Stoppers skits have been carried on [[NBC]]'s ''The Tonight Show'', starring Jimmy Fallon.<ref name=cajunjohnwayne/> Though he has been accused by the [[interest group]], the [[American Civil Liberties Union]], of bias against lawbreakers, whom Higgins has dubbed "animals," "thugs," and "heathens."<ref name=lafyadv>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2016/05/05/clay-higgins-says-he-may-run-congress-senate/83979304/|title=Clay Higgins to announce run for public office tonight|author=Seth Dickerson|publisher=''The Lafayette Advertiser''|date=May 18, 2016|accessdate=July 11, 2016}}</ref> With a  "country bumpkin drill-sergeant persona," Higgins emphasizes that his focus is on criminals.<ref name=cajunjohnwayne/> One of the videos features an outraged Higgins threatening the burglar who broke into a popular restaurant in Opelousas. Clarence Lazard, an [[African-American]] [[Baptist]] pastor who supports Higgins' videos, describes Higgins as "a unique gentleman who's not scared to say what he thinks." Though he is often referred to as a [[Cajun]], Higgins is actually of [[Ireland|Irish]] descent.<ref name=cajunjohnwayne>"Cajun John Wayne seeks U.S. House seat", ''The San Antonio Express-News'', [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], July 3, 2016, p. A25</ref>

Controversy over the videos led Higgins to resign as a captain under St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Joseph Guidroz (born April 1954), a [[Democrat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=441885|title=Bobby Guidroz, April 1954|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=July 11, 2016}}</ref> Higgins then became a deputy marshal for the city of Lafayette and conducts extensive lecturing on law and order issues.<ref name=cajunjohnwayne/>

Controversy over the videos led Higgins to resign as a captain under St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Joseph Guidroz (born April 1954), a [[Democrat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=441885|title=Bobby Guidroz, April 1954|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=July 11, 2016}}</ref> Higgins then became a deputy marshal for the city of Lafayette and conducts extensive lecturing on law and order issues.<ref name=cajunjohnwayne/>

As Higgins headed into the runoff contest with Angelle, his second former wife, Rosemary “Stormy” Rothkamm Hambrice (born June 17, 1969), from whom he was divorced in 1999, filed a $140,826 suit against him for nonpayment of child support for their children, now all adults. The suit contends that Higgins halted child-support payments in Marcb 2005, when the youngest child was ten years of age. A judge in Orange County, [[Texas]], directed Higgins to begin paying Hambrice $1,289 per month.<ref name=childsupport>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/politics/elections/article_cebe9e74-a860-11e6-a359-97e4a64fbd9f.html?sr_source=lift_amplify|title=Clay Higgins, in runoff for 3rd District seat, faces child support lawsuit from former wife|publisher=''Baton Rouge Morning Advocate''|date=November 11, 2016|accessdate=November 13, 2016}}</ref> Higgins said he paid the $1,289 in child support until 2005, when his income was reduced after he became a full-time law-enforcement officer. Higgins added that he continues to help two of his grown children with housing and transportation expenses. Higgins claims that Hambrice, a paralegal, is a friend of Scott Angelle, whom Higgins faced in the congressional runoff. She did not bring suit until Higgins entered the runoff election, he added.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/captclayhiggins/|title=Child Support?|publisher=[[Facebook]]|date=November 15, 2016|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref>

As Higgins headed into the runoff contest with Angelle, his second former wife, Rosemary “Stormy” Rothkamm Hambrice (born June 17, 1969), from whom he was divorced in 1999, filed a $140,826 suit against him for nonpayment of child support for their children, now all adults. The suit contends that Higgins halted child-support payments in Marcb 2005, when the youngest child was ten years of age. A judge in Orange County, [[Texas]], directed Higgins to begin paying Hambrice $1,289 per month.<ref name=childsupport>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/politics/elections/article_cebe9e74-a860-11e6-a359-97e4a64fbd9f.html?sr_source=lift_amplify|title=Clay Higgins, in runoff for 3rd District seat, faces child support lawsuit from former wife|publisher=''Baton Rouge Morning Advocate''|date=November 11, 2016|accessdate=November 13, 2016}}</ref> Higgins said he paid the $1,289 in child support until 2005, when his income was reduced after he became a full-time law-enforcement officer. Higgins added that he continues to help two of his grown children with housing and transportation expenses. Higgins claims that Hambrice, a paralegal, is a friend of Scott Angelle, whom Higgins faced in the congressional runoff. She did not bring suit until Higgins entered the runoff election, he added.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/captclayhiggins/|title=Child Support?|publisher=[[Facebook]]|date=November 15, 2016|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref>

Higgins went to [[Washington, D.C.]], on a campaign fund-raising trip that coincided with orientation of new House members. He attended an orientation dinner but said that he was not assuming that he will defeat Angelle in the runoff contest. "I am here to raise money and for people to vet me. I'm meeting with people who need to shake my hand and look into my eyes and into my heart," he said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2016/11/16/premature-orientation-higgins-says-hes-dc-raise-money-not-mingle/93953264/|title=Premature orientation? Higgins says he's in D.C. to raise money, not mingle|author=Greg Hilburn and Deborah Barfield Berry|publisher=''Monroe News-Star''|date=November 16, 2016|accessdate=November 17, 2016}}</ref>

Higgins went to [[Washington, D.C.]], on a campaign fund-raising trip that coincided with orientation of new House members. He attended an orientation dinner but said that he was not assuming that he will defeat Angelle in the runoff contest. "I am here to raise money and for people to vet me. I'm meeting with people who need to shake my hand and look into my eyes and into my heart," he said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2016/11/16/premature-orientation-higgins-says-hes-dc-raise-money-not-mingle/93953264/|title=Premature orientation? Higgins says he's in D.C. to raise money, not mingle|author=[[Greg Hilburn]] and Deborah Barfield Berry|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=November 16, 2016|accessdate=November 17, 2016}}</ref>

A Trump supporter, Higgins carried the backing of the Lafayette-based talk radio host [[Moon Griffon]], a long-term critic of both Angelle and Angelle's campaign manager, Timothy "Timmy" Teepell, a former aide to former Governor [[Bobby Jindal]].

A Trump supporter, Higgins carried the backing of the Lafayette-based talk radio host [[Moon Griffon]], a long-term critic of both Angelle and Angelle's campaign manager, Timothy "Timmy" Teepell, a former aide to former Governor [[Bobby Jindal]].

Trump, however, remains committed to Higgins, who has been highly supportive of the president's [[MAGA]] agenda. Higgins said that he is confident he can defeat Guillory or other opponents seeking the position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_b320e976-74e5-11e8-9f51-f75c8096273c.html|title=Trump endorses Higgins after Giuliani backs opponent his girlfriend works for|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 20, 2018|accessdate=June 22, 2018}}</ref>

Trump, however, remains committed to Higgins, who has been highly supportive of the president's [[MAGA]] agenda. Higgins said that he is confident he can defeat Guillory or other opponents seeking the position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_b320e976-74e5-11e8-9f51-f75c8096273c.html|title=Trump endorses Higgins after Giuliani backs opponent his girlfriend works for|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 20, 2018|accessdate=June 22, 2018}}</ref>

In addition to Joshua Guillory, Higgins faces two Democratic challengers in the November 6 nonpartisan blanket primary for his second term in Congress. Rob Anderson of DeQuincy in Calcasieu Parish, a freelance author, claims that Higgins "crossed the line" in a video about the [[Holocaust]] filmed in a gas chamber at the [[Auschwitz]] concentration camp in [[Nazi]]-occupied [[Poland]]. Former U.S. Magistrate Mildred Ellen "Mimi" Methvin (October 24, 1952), ridicules Higgins as "less Cajun John Wayne and more Cajun Barney Fife," a reference to the 1960-1968 [[CBS]] [[television]] series, ''The Andy Griffith Show''. Methvin, who carries the official endorsement of the Louisiana Democratic Executive Committee,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/08/20/see-who-la-democrats-pinned-their-hopes-loosen-gop-grip/1041200002/|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date=August 20, 2018|title=See who Louisiana Democrats pinned their hopes on|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref> argues that Higgins casts votes for the Trump agenda that are in conflict with the interests of hard-pressed constituents in the district.<ref>{{cite web|url=

In addition to Joshua Guillory, Higgins faces two Democratic challengers in the November 6 nonpartisan blanket primary for his second term in Congress. Rob Anderson of DeQuincy in Calcasieu Parish, a freelance author, claims that Higgins "crossed the line" in a video about the [[Holocaust]] filmed in a gas chamber at the [[Auschwitz]] concentration camp in [[Nazi]]-occupied [[Poland]]. Former U.S. Magistrate Mildred Ellen "Mimi" Methvin (October 24, 1952), ridicules Higgins as "less Cajun John Wayne and more Cajun Barney Fife," a reference to the 1960-1968 [[CBS]] [[television]] series, ''The Andy Griffith Show''. Methvin, who carries the official endorsement of the Louisiana Democratic Executive Committee,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/08/20/see-who-la-democrats-pinned-their-hopes-loosen-gop-grip/1041200002/|author=Greg Hilburn|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date=August 20, 2018|title=See who Louisiana Democrats pinned their hopes on|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref> argues that Higgins casts votes for the Trump agenda that are in conflict with the interests of hard-pressed constituents in the district.<ref>{{cite web|url=

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_8ad49a60-8a8b-11e8-8c46-2f2cfc5d085d.html|title=Candidates for Louisiana Secretary of State, Congress begin to qualify for fall elections|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 18, 2018|author=Mark Ballard}}</ref> Methvin is a daughter of the late [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] attorney [[DeWitt T. Methvin, Jr.]]; her paternal grandmother, Myrtis Lucille Gregory Methvin (1895-1977), was the first woman [[mayor]] in Louisiana in rural Castor in Bienville Parish; her maternal grandfather, William Peyton Cunningham, Sr. (1901-1971), represented Natchitoches Parish in the state House of Representatives from 1932 to 1940.

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_8ad49a60-8a8b-11e8-8c46-2f2cfc5d085d.html|title=Candidates for Louisiana Secretary of State, Congress begin to qualify for fall elections|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 18, 2018|author=Mark Ballard}}</ref> Methvin is a daughter of the late [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] attorney [[DeWitt T. Methvin, Jr.]]; her paternal grandmother, Myrtis Lucille Gregory Methvin (1895-1977), was the first woman [[mayor]] in Louisiana in rural Castor in Bienville Parish; her maternal grandfather, William Peyton Cunningham, Sr. (1901-1971), represented Natchitoches Parish in the state House of Representatives from 1932 to 1940.

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, 2018|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|accessdate=July 20, 2018}}</ref>

Higgins lives in Port Barre in St. Landry Parish with his third wife, Rebecca Lee Wynn "Becca" Higgins (born November 25, 1976).

Higgins lives in Port Barre in St. Landry Parish with his third wife, Rebecca Lee Wynn "Becca" Higgins (born November 25, 1976).