Louisiana was admitted to the Union on April 30, 1812, and elects senators to Class 2 and Class 3. Its current senators are Republicans John Neely Kennedy and Bill Cassidy.
Class 2
Class 2 U.S. Senators belong to the electoral cycle that has recently been contested in 1996, 2002, 2008, and 2014. The next election will be in 2020.
Class 3
Class 3 U.S. Senators belong to the electoral cycle that has recently been contested in 1998, 2004, and 2010, and 2016. The next election will be in 2022.
As of January 2017[update], there are five living former U.S. Senators from Louisiana, three from Class 2 and two from Class 3. The most recent senator to die was Russell B. Long of Class 3 (1948-1987) on May 9, 2003. The most recent Class 2 senator to die was Allen J. Ellender (1937-1972), who died in office on July 27, 1972.