Louisiana voters have elected a former Louisiana sheriff’s captain — known for his viral YouTube videos — to Congress.
Known as "Cajun John Wayne" and in his first bid for political office, Clay Higgins defeated longtime Louisiana politician Scott Angelle by 12 points on Saturday to represent Louisiana’s 3rd congressional district.
Related: Louisiana Sheriff's Captain in Combative Anti-Gang Video Resigns
Higgins earned national attention when he produced a video in which he was surrounded by members of law enforcement. Some wore flak jackets and carried heavy rifles.
Higgins then verbally launched into members of a violent street gang, whom he called "heathens and "animals."
"You will be hunted, you will be trapped, and if you raise a weapon to a man like me, we'll return fire with superior fire," Higgins said in the Feb. 17 video.
In less than a week, the video had received 15 million views, but earned Higgins criticism from the ACLU. By the end of the month, Higgins resigned his position at the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“I've turned in my badge as a matter of conscience,” he said at the time of his resignation. Higgins tough talk on his weekly "Crime Stoppers" segment for a local news channel earned him the moniker of “Cajun John Wayne.”
Related: Louisiana Officer Targets Gang Members in Stern Video, Gets Blasted by ACLU
After coming in second place to Angelle in the Nov. 8 election that included 12 candidates, the two were sent to a runoff as neither earned the majority of the vote.
But Higgins name recognition quickly brought him to the forefront, as he appeared on national television and his inclusion in the race was even covered by European news outlets.
Higgins hopes to receive a spot on House committees overseeing energy policy or veterans affairs issues, according to the Acadiana Advocate.
