The parallels with Sarah Palin are there, of course, but at least in this instance Cassidy seems to have learned about her pregnancy after he declared his candidacy last year. Both Cassidy and his wife are physicians, too, and presumably had schooled their children on the benefits of birth control and practicing safe sex.

via Times-Picayune

WASHINGTON -- The Bill Cassidy Senate campaign announced Thursday that the candidate's unmarried 17-year-old daughter is pregnant as she prepares for her senior year at a Baton Rouge high school.

Cassidy, a Republican congressman from Baton Rouge, said in a statement provided NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune that his daughter faces "a more challenging future" and that she has his and his wife Laura's unconditional support. The baby is expected later this summer.

Much like Sarah Palin, who announced that her own unmarried 17-year-old daughter was expecting just before she addressed the Republican National Convention as John McCain's surprise 2008 vice presidential selection, the Cassidy campaign chose to pre-emptively disclose the information about their daughter's pregnancy.

The Cassidy campaign provided this statement:

"Earlier this year, Laura and I learned we will become grandparents this summer. 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."