U.S. House, Louisiana 6th Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District?
Pat Forbes has the strongest record in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District. Pat Forbes scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Rick Edmonds at 61, as of October 6, 2026. Pat Forbes's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Rick Edmonds's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Monique Appeaning (4 of 15 criteria), Chauna Banks (4 of 15 criteria), Rufus Craig (2 of 15 criteria), Larry Davis III (5 of 15 criteria), Rubia Garcia (7 of 15 criteria), Michael Mebruer (6 of 15 criteria), Blake Miguez (7 of 15 criteria) and Stephen Wagley (2 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican
Monique Appeaning
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Chauna Banks
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- NR
Libertarian
Rufus Craig
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Larry Davis III
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Rick Edmonds
On the ballot as "Rick" Edmonds
61 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Strongest record
Pat Forbes
On the ballot as Patrick "Pat" Forbes
63 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Rubia Garcia
On the ballot as Lindsay "Rubia" Garcia
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Michael Mebruer
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Blake Miguez
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 63
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Stephen Wagley
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Monique Appeaning
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Chauna Banks
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Rufus Craig
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Larry Davis III
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Rick Edmonds
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Pat Forbes
- Credit2005 to 2024
Worked at the Louisiana Recovery Authority after hurricanes Katrina and Rita and then ran the state Office of Community Development, which distributes federal disaster funds, for 13 years.
Sources: Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026, WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Rubia Garcia
- On the record2026
Was the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against Gov. Jeff Landry over his cancellation of the May 2026 closed congressional primaries.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Michael Mebruer
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Blake Miguez
- On the record2026-10-01
The attorney general's office issued an opinion that his official domicile remains in New Iberia, in Senate District 22 and outside the 6th Congressional District, after a resident's complaint over his Senate seat.
Sources: WBRZ, Oct. 1, 2026, WBRZ, Sept. 16, 2026
Stephen Wagley
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Monique Appeaning. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026, and a House candidate disclosure was filed in April 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Rick Edmonds. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Pat Forbes. No public record found.
Rubia Garcia. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026, and a House candidate disclosure was filed in May 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Michael Mebruer. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through Sept. 30, 2026, and a House candidate disclosure was filed in September 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Blake Miguez. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026, and a House candidate disclosure was filed in March 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. No public record found.
Pat Forbes. No public record found.
Rubia Garcia. No public record found.
Michael Mebruer. No public record found.
Blake Miguez. No public record found.
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. Qualified for WBRZ's televised 6th District debate set for Oct. 9, 2026, and gave interviews to the Louisiana Illuminator on disaster policy.
Sources: WBRZ, Sept. 23, 2026, Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026
Pat Forbes. Qualified for WBRZ's televised 6th District debate set for Oct. 9, 2026, and gave interviews to the Louisiana Illuminator on disaster policy.
Sources: WBRZ, Sept. 23, 2026, Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026
Rubia Garcia. Qualified for WBRZ's televised 6th District debate set for Oct. 9, 2026, and gave interviews to the Louisiana Illuminator on disaster policy.
Sources: WBRZ, Sept. 23, 2026, Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026
Michael Mebruer. No public record found.
Blake Miguez. No public record found.
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. Served on the East Baton Rouge Metro Council from 2013 through 2024. No censure or conduct finding found; she testified as a witness before a 2026 grand jury and says she is not a target.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Chauna Banks, WAFB, July 22, 2026
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. A pastor by profession, state representative from 2016 to 2024 and state senator since January 2024. No conduct finding found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Rick Edmonds, WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Pat Forbes. Worked about 20 years in state disaster recovery, including 13 years running the Office of Community Development. No conduct finding found.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026
Rubia Garcia. No public record found.
Michael Mebruer. No public record found.
Blake Miguez. State representative from 2015 to 2024, House majority leader from 2020 to 2024, and state senator since 2024. No censure or conduct finding found; a 2007 police report allegation is unresolved and never charged (see Record).
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. Held sworn local office on the Metro Council for 12 years. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Chauna Banks
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. Has held sworn state office since 2016. No misuse-of-office finding and no action to reject certified results found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Rick Edmonds
Pat Forbes. Served about 20 years in state government, including as head of a state office. No misuse-of-office finding found.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Rubia Garcia. No public record found.
Michael Mebruer. No public record found.
Blake Miguez. Has held sworn state office since 2015. The attorney general's office found in 2026 that his domicile remains in his Senate district. No misuse-of-office finding found.
Source: WBRZ, Oct. 1, 2026
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Monique Appeaning. Former aide to Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards. Has not held elected office.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Chauna Banks. Three terms on the East Baton Rouge Metro Council (2013 to 2024) and about 20 years in education.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Rufus Craig. Baton Rouge attorney. Has not held public office.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. Two terms in the Louisiana House (2016 to 2024) and in the Louisiana Senate since 2024 (E9).
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Pat Forbes. Engineer who ran Louisiana's Office of Community Development for 13 years, after work at the Louisiana Recovery Authority beginning in 2005.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026
Rubia Garcia. Former social studies teacher and Southern University Law Center graduate who worked in a Defense Department Morale, Welfare and Recreation program. Has not held public office.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Michael Mebruer. Traveling medical professional with a master's degree in financial economics from LSU. Has not held public office.
Blake Miguez. About nine years in the Louisiana House, including four as majority leader, and in the Louisiana Senate since 2024 (E9); oil and gas executive.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Stephen Wagley. Chief operating officer of Delta College. Has not held public office.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. His 2026 survey answers state positions on abortion, borders and sovereignty in general terms.
Rick Edmonds. Chairs the Senate Education Committee and sits on the Finance Committee and Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Source: Ballotpedia, Rick Edmonds
Pat Forbes. Recognized subject expertise in federal disaster recovery from leading the state office that distributes it; his survey states specific positions on the economy and tariffs.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Patrick Forbes, 2026 survey, Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026
Rubia Garcia. Her survey answers state positions on constitutional rights and other issues in general terms.
Michael Mebruer. His survey answers make federal spending and the deficit his top priority, stated in general terms.
Blake Miguez. Was House majority leader from 2020 to 2024 (E5) and is vice chair of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Blake Miguez, WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026.
Rick Edmonds. Gave policy interviews to statewide press and qualified for a televised debate. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Rick Edmonds, Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026
Pat Forbes. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026, gave policy interviews to statewide press and qualified for a televised debate.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Patrick Forbes, Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026
Rubia Garcia. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026 and gave interviews to statewide press.
Source: Ballotpedia, Lindsay Garcia
Michael Mebruer. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026.
Source: Ballotpedia, Michael Mebruer
Blake Miguez. No public record found.
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Monique Appeaning. Lives in St. George, per the qualifying list.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Chauna Banks. Lives in Baton Rouge and represented its District 2 on the Metro Council for 12 years.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Rufus Craig. Lives in Baton Rouge, per the qualifying list.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Larry Davis III. Lives in Denham Springs, per the qualifying list, and graduated from Denham Springs High School.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Rick Edmonds. Lives in Baton Rouge and has represented Baton Rouge-area districts in the Legislature since 2016.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Pat Forbes. Lives in Baton Rouge, per the qualifying list; LSU graduate.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Rubia Garcia. Lives in Walker, per the qualifying list.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Michael Mebruer. Lives in St. Francisville, per the qualifying list; West Feliciana High School graduate.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Blake Miguez. The attorney general's office found his official domicile is in New Iberia, outside the 6th District; he also owns a Baton Rouge residence. Federal law does not require House candidates to live in the district.
Source: WBRZ, Oct. 1, 2026
Stephen Wagley. Lives in Baton Rouge, per the qualifying list.
Source: WRKF, Aug. 12, 2026
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Monique Appeaning. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Rick Edmonds. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Pat Forbes. Led the state Office of Community Development, which distributes federal disaster recovery funds, for 13 years.
Source: Louisiana Illuminator via States Newsroom, Sept. 2026
Rubia Garcia. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Michael Mebruer. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through Sept. 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Blake Miguez. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 18, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. No public record found.
Pat Forbes. No public record found.
Rubia Garcia. No public record found.
Michael Mebruer. No public record found.
Blake Miguez. No public record found.
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. No public record found.
Pat Forbes. No public record found.
Rubia Garcia. No public record found.
Michael Mebruer. No public record found.
Blake Miguez. No public record found.
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. No public record found.
Pat Forbes. No public record found.
Rubia Garcia. No public record found.
Michael Mebruer. No public record found.
Blake Miguez. No public record found.
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. No public record found.
Pat Forbes. No public record found.
Rubia Garcia. No public record found.
Michael Mebruer. No public record found.
Blake Miguez. No public record found.
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Monique Appeaning. No public record found.
Chauna Banks. No public record found.
Rufus Craig. No public record found.
Larry Davis III. No public record found.
Rick Edmonds. No public record found.
Pat Forbes. No public record found.
Rubia Garcia. No public record found.
Michael Mebruer. No public record found.
Blake Miguez. No public record found.
Stephen Wagley. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District?
Pat Forbes has the strongest record in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District. Pat Forbes scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Rick Edmonds at 61, as of October 6, 2026. Pat Forbes's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Rick Edmonds's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Monique Appeaning (4 of 15 criteria), Chauna Banks (4 of 15 criteria), Rufus Craig (2 of 15 criteria), Larry Davis III (5 of 15 criteria), Rubia Garcia (7 of 15 criteria), Michael Mebruer (6 of 15 criteria), Blake Miguez (7 of 15 criteria) and Stephen Wagley (2 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District in 2026?
Monique Appeaning (Republican), Chauna Banks (Democratic), Rufus Craig (Libertarian), Larry Davis III (Republican), Rick Edmonds (Republican), Pat Forbes (Democratic), Rubia Garcia (Democratic), Michael Mebruer (Republican), Blake Miguez (Republican), Stephen Wagley (Republican). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Monique Appeaning a good candidate for Congress?
Monique Appeaning has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Chauna Banks a good candidate for Congress?
Chauna Banks has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Rufus Craig a good candidate for Congress?
Rufus Craig has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Larry Davis III a good candidate for Congress?
Larry Davis III has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Rick Edmonds a good candidate for Congress?
Rick Edmonds scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Pat Forbes a good candidate for Congress?
Pat Forbes scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Rubia Garcia a good candidate for Congress?
Rubia Garcia has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Michael Mebruer a good candidate for Congress?
Michael Mebruer has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Blake Miguez a good candidate for Congress?
Blake Miguez has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Stephen Wagley a good candidate for Congress?
Stephen Wagley has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Louisiana race scored, and the Louisiana 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.