Trump-Backed Rep. Julia Letlow Ousts Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana GOP Primary

BATON ROUGE, La. — Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., was decisively defeated in Saturday’s Republican primary for U.S. Senate, finishing third and failing to advance to the June 27 runoff after drawing strong opposition from President Donald Trump and his allies.

Trump-endorsed U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow led the field, followed by state Treasurer John Fleming. Cassidy, a two-term incumbent, could not overcome voter backlash tied to his 2021 vote to convict Trump in the second impeachment trial and recent policy clashes with the Trump administration, including differences over health care and the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.

Letlow, who represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, positioned herself as a loyal Trump ally and capitalized on the president’s personal endorsement. Fleming, a former congressman and Trump administration official, also campaigned as a strong conservative alternative.

Cassidy, a physician who has occasionally broken with the party on issues like health policy, had not faced a serious primary challenge since his 2014 Senate win. His 2021 impeachment vote made him one of only seven Republican senators to vote against Trump, drawing long-term resentment from the party’s base.

Trump and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry endorsed Letlow early and campaigned aggressively against Cassidy. The president’s team targeted Cassidy as one of the top disloyal Republicans in the Senate this cycle.

Letlow and Fleming will now compete in the June 27 runoff. The winner is heavily favored to win the solidly Republican seat in the general election.

Cassidy conceded Saturday night, wishing the eventual nominee well and pledging to fulfill his duties until his term ends in January 2027. The outcome represents another significant victory for Trump in reshaping the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterms.