Rep. Julia Letlow and Louisiana state Treasurer John Fleming are set to face off in a runoff following Saturday’s Senate Republican primary. CBS News reports that they defeated incumbent GOP Senator Bill Cassidy. Cassidy, 68, was one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict former President Trump during the impeachment trial following the January 6 Capitol attack in 2021.
Despite Cassidy’s cooperation with the administration, President Trump endorsed Letlow in January, supporting her challenge against Cassidy for his Senate seat. Trump congratulated Letlow on Truth Social, praising her campaign for achieving record-setting numbers against an incumbent senator. He expressed confidence in Letlow, calling her a “fantastic person” who would serve the people of Louisiana well once she addresses some “additional business.” In the follow-up post, Trump criticized Cassidy for allegedly misrepresenting his relationship with the former president in his political career. Trump accused Cassidy of betraying him by voting for impeachment.
“Our country is not about one individual. It is about the welfare of all Americans, and it is about the Constitution,” Cassidy said during his speech to supporters according to The Associated Press.
Letlow, in her speech per The Associated Press, named Trump “the best president this country has ever had.” She, 45, gained her Congressional seat in 2021 after winning a special election following her husband’s death due to COVID-19 complications before he could assume office.
In the GOP Senate primary, both Letlow and Fleming advanced. Fleming previously worked in Trump’s administration and positioned himself as the sole “conservative MAGA Republican” in the race. Letlow capitalized on her Trump endorsement, portraying Cassidy as disloyal to the GOP and suggesting Louisiana deserves a senator whose votes are predictable under pressure.
Cassidy, a medical professional, disagreed with his opponents, criticizing Letlow’s past support for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in education. He and Fleming accused Letlow of backing initiatives inconsistent with conservative values. Cassidy expressed concern over DEI alignment with the administration, citing his vote against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. despite initially supporting Kennedy’s nomination.
This election demonstrates Trump’s lasting influence, as illustrated by his successful attempts to remove opposing Republicans from the Indiana state Senate earlier this month. Meanwhile, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, had supported Cassidy for a third term. Thune commended Cassidy as a “terrific senator” and said his defeat is ultimately Louisiana’s voter decision. He added, “Tim Scott and I at the NRSC, our job is to do what we can to support incumbents.” Former GOP Senator Mitt Romney called Cassidy’s loss a loss for the country, highlighting his character and healthcare expertise.
On the Democratic front, Jamie Davis, a farmer, secured the nomination, defeating Nick Albares and Gary Crockett. Louisiana, a predominantly Republican state, favored Trump with a 60% vote share in 2024. The state’s history of electing a Democrat to the Senate dates back to 2008, suggesting the Republican primary winner is poised for victory in November.
Governor Jeff Landry suspended Louisiana’s House primaries following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the state’s congressional map, yet Senate primaries continued as planned.