In 2013, six-term Representative Rodney Alexander resigned to take a state cabinet post; in the special election, Republican newcomer Vance McAllister, a businessman from Swartz, Louisiana, handily defeated fellow Republican State Senator Neil Riser of Columbia in Caldwell Parish to claim the seat in a special election.

[5] Analysts considered McAllister's victory as a rejection of Governor Bobby Jindal's efforts to have the seat vacated and to replace Alexander with his hand-picked candidate in a low-turnout special election.

[7] In 2014, Ralph Abraham defeated Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo for the 113th United States Congress, replacing McAllister, who was defeated in the Louisiana primary.

[8] The district is currently represented by Republican Julia Letlow, who was elected in a 2021 special election to replace her husband, representative-elect Luke, who died of COVID-19 days before he was set to be sworn in.

As part of the 2024 map redistricting, the 5th loses Lincoln, Jackson, Winn, Grant, Rapides, and half of Ouachita Parishes to the 4th district, and also Pointe Coupee and half of Avoyelles Parish to the new 6th; in exchange, 5th gains parts of East Baton Rouge, Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes.