Facing discipline that included recommendations of demotion, reassignment, removal from the SWAT team and a 160-hour suspension without pay, he RESIGNED from the Opelousas Police Department.
When he next popped up, he was working as a public information officer for the St. Landry Sheriff’s Office where he tried to transform his image into that of some sort of John Wayne-George Patton clone.
But that went south as well when it was learned that his salary was being garnished by the FBI because he had paid NO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES for several years and that he was about $100,000 behind in his CHILD SUPPORT payments.
So, it was only natural that Clay Higgins would benefit from the 2016 Trump wave that would sweep him INTO OFFICE as U.S. Representative from Louisiana’s Third Congressional District.
During the 2016 campaign, he was taped by his ex-wife in a TELEPHONE CONVERSATION in which he said, “I’m just learning really about campaign laws…but there’s going to be a lot of money floating around.”
Higgins has established himself in the same mold as state and federal offices-holders Leander Perez, John Rarick, and David Duke in the two short years he has served in Congress.
Mildred “Mimi” Methvin wants to alter the image of the 3rd Congressional District to reflect a more rational approach to addressing the district’s problems at what she calls a “pivotal moment” for the district, state and the country.
Former U.S. Magistrate Judge Mimi Methvin, right, discusses her candidacy for U.S. Representative from the 3rd Congressional District with Ellen Torgrimson, New Orleans, of the League of Women Voters.
She is one of six challengers to Higgins—three other Democrats (one of whom just switched from Republican a few weeks ago), a Libertarian, and a Republican. If qualifications and past performance are any kind of barometer, she would be the hands-down selection as the candidate with the best chance of unseating the enigmatic Higgins.
Mildred “Mimi” Methvin, left, formally qualifies to run for U.S. Representative from Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District last Wednesday. Looking on is Meg Casper of the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office.
Methvin has worked as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s office and served 26 years as a U.S. magistrate judge. Magistrate judges are selected on the basis of merit and she was vetted for each of her three terms. In that position, she mediated several complex litigation cases and in 2009, she returned to private practice, having just won a $1.2 million award for a Rapides Parish teacher.
“Our Constitution is a moral covenant,” she says. “The question that must be addressed is this: Does the voice of the average American still count or is the voice of corporate America the only voice heard?
“The people of the 3rd District need to be independent, not bought by the special interests,” she said.
To that end, unlike Higgins, she has eschewed PAC contributions while Higgins has accepted nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars in PAC money thus far, including contributions from political action committees representing big oil, utilities, defense contractors, health care companies, insurance companies, chemical companies, the NRA (through Russian operatives perhaps?), and even an outfit called the “Support to Ensure Victory Everywhere PAC.”
Methvin listed health care, coastal restoration, and income equality as issues that are important to the district. She was harshly critical of what she described as the transfer of wealth to corporations and of recent attacks by the Trump administration on NATO—and of Higgins’ voting record in Congress.
“Congressman Higgins has turned his back on promises he made as a candidate. Ninety thousand of his constituents have lost their health care while he has put dollars in the pockets of the rich. He is in lock step with the corporations.”
She accused Higgins of “incontrovertible fealty to party loyalty” over the interests of his constituents.
Having once presided over a major case in which a sheriff’s department was held liable for beating an innocent suspect with a metal baseball bat, Methvin definitely has the chops to be tough while standing up for the interests of the citizens of the district.
Higgins’ unwavering devotion to Donald Trump notwithstanding, this could be the most interesting race of all six congressional districts.
Great column Tom, or, should I say, another great post.
If I recall, the current President has endorsed Higgins, while the current President’s personal lawyer has endorsed Republican challenger John Guillory (because Rudy’s girlfriend works for Guillory). Methvin sounds like the cure for the ills of the 3rd District. Thanks, George
Looks like she has a lot of great qualifications, background and experience. I think she would make a great congresswoman.
Why sure on Mimi! Like “The Nancy” is going to let her have her own opinion on anything except toe the line.
They all sing a good line until they get to DC and receive the “sock puppet”
operation.
Let’s lose the house to the Democrats = Impeach 45 as “Loose Marbles” Mad Max Waters dreams of.
You mean the same way Trump allows Louisiana’s delegation to advance an original opinion of their own?
You mean Loose Marbles Maxine Waters who called for Dems. to get in the faces of Republicans the same way Trump called on his supporters to beat up protesters at his rallies? The same way he called on the Russians to hack the Dems emails? The same way he attacks the press as America’s enemy?
You mean the same way the Republicans impeached Bill Clinton but now want the special prosecutor fired?
You mean the Republican majority in the House and Senate who couldn’t get enough evidence to indict a single person on the Clinton emails after a 2-year investigation but who want Mueller’s investigation over and done with after only a little over a year, an investigation, by the way, that has already resulted in about a dozen indictments and several guilty pleas?
Yeah, I can see your logic. Way to think it through.
Tom, this is a great post and you are accurate on the qualifications part of it for sure BUT, two years ago he had opposition that overwhelmed him with qualifications and we know the outcome. It just seems these days that’s not what the voters are looking for anymore!!
Couldn’t agree more Bud. A perfect example was the last state treasurer’s race. Given the choice between a man with a masters in accounting and a doctorate in law versus a term limited lege with a bachelors in some non-related subject, maybe criminal justice, you know who the populace chose. Why the unqualified lege of course!
Oh my how did I miss that? All the Republicans in DC are entitled to wear a white hat and are so pure that they float above the ground don’t you know.
Please raise your torch of enlightenment a little higher. Oh wait you already did another flag goes up in smoke and the crowd dances. Can we look forward to a few book burnings?
Uh…not sure what you’re trying to say. In your first comment, you seem to be slamming Democrats and now you’ve taken aim at the Republicans with some very general sarcasm, but no specifics.
Sorry, but it’s just impossible to decipher “you already did another flag goes up in smoke and the crowd dances. Can we look forward to a few book burnings?”
What does that even mean?
Could you break that down to plain English without the clever attempt at obfuscation?
Wish I could vote for Methvin, but stuck in 5th, where treasonous repuglicans (not misspelled) rule without thought nor reason. Love your posts! ron thompson
Tom,
Would you look into Higgins’ military service? I think he claims to have been an Army or National Guard MP stationed somewhere in Latin America, but specifics are vague or nonexistent.
I wish her well, against this fool, however I am stuck in the 4th with no hope in sight, we trade one nit wit for another…
She accused Higgins of “incontrovertible fealty to party loyalty” over the interests of his constituents.
To whom among our entire Congressional delegation does this not apply, with the exception of Richmond?
If Higgins is representative of his constituency our country is turning a corner toward a violent society from which there may be no retreat. For further evidence, watch Turnip rallies (if you can stand to) where the roars are deafening when he incites violence against those not showing blind allegiance.
So I gather that if you are a conservative, like smaller government, and believe in the Constitution you are a Trumpite, repuglican, knuckle dragging, simple minded doofas ehh? Can we say sore losers? Can we stop reiterating propaganda and one sided political rhetoric? Can we stop sweating and cursing and start getting involved and get some good candidates to run. And oh my, Richmond is our rep. that’s worth a plug nickel? You elect your representative, if you don’t like who it is, get involved and work to put your candidate in. Oh, and we need term limits!
You are arguing against points not made – a not so clever diversionary tactic. That said, I haven’t called anybody names except Turnip. Don’t presume I am not actively involved – or make that presumption about anybody else. I am responsible for doing what I can to bring about positive change – as are you.
Term limits are not the answer. They are a cop-out for people who wish to remain uninformed. People should be free to vote for the candidate of their choice, including the incumbent if s/he is doing a good job.
Sidwit:
Way out numbered here brother. No way to plug the leaks in this dike.
Just read your comment to another post. Are you saying if I am a conservative with taxpayers hard earned money, believe government has grown too large and too expensive, and believe the hard earned US Constitution is what separates this country from tyrannical governments then I am guilty.
[…] Tom Aswell at Louisiana Voice writes—Keep your eye on Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District race: things could get interesting in …: […]
Higgins has not been my voice in Congress because I don’t need a rubber stamp and Hop Along Cassidy representing me. We need to send Higgins home.
My choice and vote will be for Mimi .