Rep. Johnson and the challenger declined to be interviewed ahead of the 4th Congressional District race

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – For many Calcasieu Parish residents, the Nov. 5 election will be the first time they cast a ballot. Fourth Congressional District.

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Incumbent House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a challenge from fellow Republican Joshua Morotta.

Ahead of the election, 7 News is looking at what’s on the ballot and interviewing candidates. Our on-air and online stories are part of an effort to create a well-informed electorate by introducing voters to the candidates and explaining the measures they will vote on.

However, in the race for the Fourth Congressional District, both candidates declined our interview requests.

U.S. House Representative Mike Johnson’s staff cited his busy schedule, saying the speaker would not be able to travel to Southwest Louisiana for an interview, nor would he be able to arrange a video call with our reporter.

We then sent written questions to Speaker Johnson to prepare a written article before the election. We have not received a response.

Johnson’s opponent also refused to answer email questions or give interviews. Joshua Morotte said he would only agree to an interview with KPLC if it was broadcast live in its entirety.

“I refuse to participate in the mock interview,” Morott responded to KPLC via email. “If your radio station wants to interview me, it must be done live and unedited. Until this condition is met, the media will simply not manipulate me so that they can edit my interview to suit their agenda.”

7 News explained that while entire interviews can be published online, the time constraints of our newscasts do not allow for an in-depth interview to be conducted live.