Louisiana GOP chair says Charlie Kirk’s legacy inspires party to push forward

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through political circles, but Republican leaders say his mission is fueling the next generation.

At the Baton Rouge Press Club, Louisiana GOP Chair Derek Babcock reflected on Kirk’s legacy and the party’s future. “They tried to silence a voice, but you’re not going to silence a movement,” Babcock said.

He noted that Kirk’s death has become a rallying point for many within the party.

“It’s emboldened a lot of people,” he said. “It’s caused a lot of people, especially conservatives, to think about what they believe, why they believe it, and to understand more and be willing to stand up for it.”

With the 2026 midterm elections ahead, Babcock expressed confidence in the GOP’s chances of holding control in Congress despite redistricting challenges.

“We have some contested races coming up. However, I believe we’re going to retain two Republicans in the Senate,” Babcock said. “There’s potentially a small shift on the congressional side depending on what the Supreme Court does.”

Babcock also addressed upcoming changes to Louisiana’s voting system. For years, the state used an open, or “jungle,” primary, where voters from any party could select any candidate. Beginning in 2026, however, voters must remain within their party when casting ballots in congressional races.

“As far as our strategy, it hasn’t changed much, really,” Babcock said. “It’s just getting voters to turn out, and let’s get the best candidate elected to be our nominee going into the general.”

He closed his remarks with a call for unity, urging Republicans to carry forward Kirk’s mission with passion while also promoting respect across political divides.

The primary elections are set for April 18, 2026, with the midterms scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.

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