On November 17, 2020, incumbent Democratic representative Cedric Richmond announced that he would resign from the United States House of Representatives to serve as the director of the Office of Public Liaison and as a Senior Advisor to Joe Biden.

[2][3][4] When congressional seats in Louisiana become vacant, the governor has the ability to call a special election at any time.

The special election to fill Louisiana's 2nd congressional district took place on March 20, and a runoff was held on April 24.

[5][6][7][8] Troy Carter won the runoff election on April 24, 2021, against fellow Democrat Karen Peterson.

[1] Of the Democratic candidates, Troy Carter, a state senator, Karen Carter Peterson, a state senator and former chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, and Gary Chambers, an activist, were considered the frontrunners.