Louisiana Native, Conservative Leader Erick Erickson Joins the NewsTalk 96.5 KPEL Family
LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) – When Dan Bongino announced his decision to join the Trump Administration, the news rattled the talk radio world and left a significant hole in radio station lineups across the country.
As a result, NewsTalk 96.5 KPEL has chosen longtime conservative activist and nationwide syndicated host Erick Erickson to fill the weekday noon to 3 p.m. time slot. Erickson previously filled the midday slot on another Townsquare Lafayette station, TalkRadio 960.
"I love being on the radio in Lafayette," Erickson said. "As a native of the state and a lover of Cajun food, there is no better place to be on the radio in the heart of Acadiana."
Erickson, a native of Jackson, Louisiana, is based in Macon, Georgia, where he lives with his family. He has been a longtime host at 95.5 WSB, and is syndicated by the Compass Media Network.
"The Most Powerful Conservative in America"
Erickson is a longtime conservative activist, having served as the editor-in-chief of RedState.com since its inception until he left the site in 2015. He has been called "the most powerful conservative in America" by The Atlantic, and used the platform at RedState to criticize progressive politicians while also holding Republicans accountable.
He routinely clashed with Republican leadership, helping to usher in the Tea Party era of conservative politicians, and helped platform notable Republicans like Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rick Perry, and others.
"Erickson has a long history of advocating for conservatism, regardless of who is in power," KPEL brand manager Joe Cunningham said. "Talk radio in Lafayette needs more than just a voice saying the right things. It needs someone who has routinely fought for the causes our audience has believed in for decades."
He has been a fill-in host for Rush Limbaugh and Ben Shapiro, and has been a contributor at Fox News and CNN.
A Conservative Gathering
Along with his radio show, Erickson hosts annual events called "The Gathering," where he brings conservative leaders across the country on stage to talk about the pressing issues of the day and how conservatives should be fighting.
When it was part of RedState, The Gathering was the stage former Texas Governor Rick Perry used to announce his candidacy for president. The stage has held massive names in conservative politics – including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Congressman Chip Roy – and frequently receives national coverage.
An Outsider's Perspective
The Erick Erickson Show draws on Erickson's experiences outside of Washington D.C. to connect with Americans across the country. He is not a Washington insider, but has been invited to the Trump White House and has several contacts within the administration.
His knowledge of politics, as both a student of history and his time as a lawyer and political consultant, make his voice perfect for the NewsTalk 96.5 KPEL audience.
The Erick Erickson show will air from noon to 3 p.m. every weekday, beginning March 17, 2025.
