U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy made a rare trip to Iberia Parish to speak to local residents and elected officials about updates in Washington, D.C.

Speaking at Landry’s Seafood, Cassidy was the guest of honor for the New Iberia Rotary Club, who hosted the speaking event. It wasn’t just Rotary Club members present for the special event, however, as several public officials and media outlets were also in attendance to ask questions and hear the latest developments in federal politics.

Cassidy took a laid-back approach to the session and spoke about his predictions for the upcoming presidential election and some of the top issues for voters.

The Louisiana Republican senator said immigration and the economy were the top issues facing most voters, which most in the room agreed with.

“If you are a Democrat, that should strike fear in your heart,” Cassidy said. “President Biden is polling really bad (on those fronts).”

Dealing with immigration and the influx of drugs like fentanyl which Cassidy said comes from the southern border have been some of his top priorities.

But Cassidy also acknowledged positives from the Biden administration like the infrastructure package that paid for the I-49 project in Louisiana.

“Biden’s going to get the credit for that, but I still say he loses. Why? I think he’s going senile,” Cassidy said. “I don’t say that to be mean, I say it because you’re not sure he’s there.

“But frankly, President Trump comes with baggage, I’m just reporting the facts. Me, I’m going to work with whoever gets elected.”

Cassidy said being able to work with both sides has been important in his career and is what allowed the gains made for Louisiana in the infrastructure deal to happen.

“We wouldn’t have $300 million coming to Louisiana if I said I wasn’t going to work with them,” Cassidy said. “If you want to fight for a state, fight for a state.”