BATON ROUGE, LA – A screenwriter reportedly needed only three months of closely following Louisiana’s current House and Senate races before realizing he was not watching an election cycle. He was watching a storyline.
After observing candidates enter races, exit races, switch races, return to previous seats, and occasionally relocate districts altogether, the writer approached The Sadvocate with what he described as “less an idea and more a transcript.”
Within days, the concept became a full daytime drama series.
The result is As the Ballot Turns, a serialized political saga inspired entirely by recent maneuvering across Louisiana.
Producers insist very little fictionalization was required and have released the first 5 episode details.
Season One: Episode Guide
Episode 1 – “The Endorsement That Started It All”
Blake Miguez is already in the U.S. Senate race, challenging incumbent Bill Cassidy, when a sitting U.S. Representative announces she will leave her House seat to enter that very contest after securing a powerful endorsement. What began as a two-man race instantly expands, and the Fifth District seat becomes vacant overnight.
Starring:
Blake Miguez – The First Challenger
Julia Letlow – The Incumbent With Bigger Plans
Bill Cassidy – The Senator Under Siege
Donald Trump – The Kingmaker
Jeff Landry – The Governor Watching Closely
Episode 2 – “The Immediate Successor”
With District 5 suddenly open due to Letlow’s Senate bid, State Rep. Dixon McMakin of District 68 announces his candidacy for Congress with impressive speed. Allies call it decisive leadership. Observers call it excellent timing. Consultants quietly update their spreadsheets.
Starring:
Dixon McMakin – The Early Entrant
Julia Letlow – The Departing Representative
Jeff Landry – The Strategic Spectator
Episode 3 – “The Great Switch”
In a dramatic pivot, Miguez exits the U.S. Senate race against Cassidy and redirects his ambitions toward the open Fifth District seat, reshaping both contests at once. One campaign ends. Another begins. The map changes again before the ink is dry.
Starring:
Blake Miguez – The Strategic Pivot
Bill Cassidy – The Briefly Relieved Incumbent
Dixon McMakin – The Suddenly Challenged
Episode 4 – “The Withdrawal and the Return”
As the District 5 race grows complicated, McMakin announces he will withdraw from the congressional contest and remain in Louisiana House District 68, the seat he secured only a few years ago. Meanwhile, Larry Davis exits the Fifth District race and announces a new bid in Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District, proving geography is flexible.
Starring:
Dixon McMakin – The Man Who Came Back Home
Larry Davis – The District Jumper
Blake Miguez – The Remaining Challenger
Episode 5 – “Another Entrance”
Just as the Senate storyline appears to steady, State Rep. Michael Echols of District 14 enters the race for U.S. Senate, ensuring Cassidy’s seat will not go uncontested and that stability remains a temporary condition.
Starring:
Michael Echols – The Late Addition
Bill Cassidy – The Man Everyone Keeps Challenging
Jeff Landry – The Influence in the Background
Next Season on As the Ballot Turns…
Will another officeholder discover a sudden calling to higher office?
Will a former candidate reconsider a previous reconsideration?
Will a filing deadline produce one more dramatic entrance?
Producers confirm additional episodes are expected.
In Louisiana politics, withdrawals are temporary.
Announcements are inevitable.
And the ballot always turns.
