🚫 Not fit for public office. Fewer than three stars, and a critical Article fails (Open Books). This isn’t a close call. Expect to hear from us — often.
Editorial opinion — our judgment against the Seven Articles, not a legal disqualification or an allegation of any crime. Ratings terms · Challenge this review
1Open Bookscritical
57%☆ not yet
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
16.1% of receipts from PACs — over the 15% cap; fails the money floor. (FEC 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
82%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No 2020 election denial, no fake-elector role, and no documented support for partisan gerrymandering. (Jan 6 roll call; OpenSecrets; redistricting record)
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
22%☆ not yet
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Called Haitians 'gangsters' and 'nastiest country,' told CNN 'it's all true,' declining to genuinely retract; Congressional Black Caucus pursued censure (NPR, Louisiana Illuminator).
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
30%☆ not yet
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Messaging leans heavily on grievance and threat framing, including dire public warnings to the FBI over Jan-6 (Newsweek).
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
35%☆ not yet
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Amplified the debunked Haitian pet-eating claim and 2020 fraud narratives; documented poor fact-check record (NPR).
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
45%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Freedom Caucus member who occasionally bucks GOP leadership from the right, but not a cross-aisle maverick.
60
7Morality
62%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Resigned as St. Landry Parish sheriff's spokesman in 2016 over controversial official videos; past reporting on debts/child support (documented pre-Congress).
60
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →