'I learned we will become grandparents this summer,' Cassidy says. GOP hopeful's daughter, 17, pregnant

GOP Rep. Bill Cassidy, who is challenging Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) in one of this year’s most competitive Senate races, revealed late Thursday that his 17-year-old daughter became pregnant out of wedlock and is due later this summer.

Cassidy’s campaign revealed the news with a one-paragraph statement to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, published late Thursday afternoon as the July Fourth holiday weekend began.


“Earlier this year, Laura and I learned we will become grandparents this summer,” Cassidy, 56, said in the statement. “Our children have been the greatest blessing of our lives and we welcome our grandchild as a joyous addition to our family. Our daughter now faces a more challenging future than her peers. She has our unconditional love and support.”

His daughter is a rising senior at a high school in Baton Rouge.

A campaign spokesman did not immediately respond to follow-up questions, such as whether the candidate’s daughter plans to marry the baby’s father.

Cassidy and his wife are both medical doctors. They have three children and live in Baton Rouge.

In 2008, vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin made similar news during the Republican National Convention, announcing that her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, was pregnant and having the baby.