BATON ROUGE — Two Republican candidates competing in unresolved Louisiana congressional runoffs traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to attend freshman orientation on Capitol Hill—a move drawing sharp criticism from their Democratic opponents weeks before voters cast their final ballots.

State Sen. Blake Miguez and state Rep. Gabe Firment were photographed participating in the U.S. House of Representatives’ New Member Orientation, which runs from Nov. 8 through Nov. 18, and stood alongside incoming lawmakers for Thursday's official freshman class photo at the U.S. Capitol. Neither candidate has won his race; both are headed to Dec. 12 runoff elections, with early voting scheduled for Nov. 28 through Dec. 5.

In Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, Firment faces Democratic state Rep. Pat Moore. Moore's campaign sharply criticized Firment’s trip on social media and in statements to Louisiana First News, noting that Firment placed second in the primary.

"My opponent, State Rep. Gabe Firment is counting his chickens before they’re hatched!" Moore's campaign wrote on Facebook, adding that he is "claiming victory in a race he hasn’t won, and didn’t even lead!" Moore's campaign manager, Lottie Conway, called Firment’s attendance "offensive to the voters of LA-05," accusing him of playing "dress-up" in Washington while Moore campaigns in the district. Louisiana First News noted that Firment has not declared victory, and his campaign had not responded to requests for comment by publication.

In the 6th Congressional District, where Miguez faces Democrat Chauna Banks, Miguez’s campaign defended the trip as routine preparation. Campaign manager Jonathon told Louisiana First News that both 6th District runoff contenders received invitations and that Miguez attended so he could "hit the ground running" if elected.

Banks confirmed she received an invitation to the 12-day orientation, which covers congressional staffing, office assignments and legislative procedures, but chose to decline it and stay in Louisiana to campaign.

In an official statement shared on Facebook under the banner "The Voters Come First. Washington Can Wait," Banks argued that Governor Jeff Landry’s decision to shift Louisiana’s congressional elections onto a later calendar than the rest of the nation created the scheduling overlap.

"I was taught a long time ago not to put the cart before the horse," Banks wrote. "If they do not value YOUR VOTE when they need it, they will not value YOUR VOICE when they no longer need it! ... I’ll get to Washington, D.C., soon enough. But first, I have an election to win and voters to serve."

The winners of both Dec. 12 runoff elections will be sworn into the 120th Congress when it convenes on Jan. 3, 2027.

WBRZ has reached out to Firment and Miguez for comment.