“The Louisiana Republican Party Executive Committee voted unanimously to censor Senator Bill Cassidy for his vote cast earlier today to convict former President Donald J. Trump on impeachment charges,” the state party said in a statement.
Cassidy was one of only seven Republican senators who joined all Senate Democrats in the vote to condemn Trump – but the 57 guilty votes fell well short of the 67 required to convict the former president. The Republicans Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania participated in the vote that Trump was guilty of inciting the US Capitol insurrection in January 6
Cassidy, in a brief statement after his vote on Saturday, said: “Our Constitution and our country are more important than anyone. I voted to condemn President Trump because he is guilty.”
CNN approached Cassidy to comment on the state party’s censorship.
Cassidy is the latest Republican to face the reaction of his home party, while the national Republican Party faces its own internal conflicts after the November elections.
Last week, Sasse faced a censorship effort from the Nebraska Republican Party, while at least 10 House Republicans faced a backlash – including Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming, a longtime conservative ideological.
Cheney, Republican No. 3 in the House, fought a challenge to her leadership position as members of her own party after she voted to impeach Trump.
Louisiana state senator Stewart Cathey Jr., a Republican who represents parts of northern Louisiana, said on Saturday that local Republican anger towards Cassidy was quick, as many Louisians were “upset, disappointed”.
“We elected Senator Cassidy in November … and we sent him back to DC with President Trump,” said the state senator. “His voters thought we were sending him there with many of those same ideals, so today’s vote really caught people off guard.”
Cassidy was re-elected in November, which means that he will not face voters for nearly six years.
Cathey said that did not lessen the reaction.
“I am Senator Cathey and he is Senator Cassidy of the United States,” said Cathey, who remains close to Trump. “I’m getting emails saying, ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this.’ I just politely say, ‘I think you cheated on me.’ “
CNN’s Ryan Nobles contributed to this report.
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