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Sen. Cassidy knocked out of Louisiana Republican primary as Trump-backed Letlow, Fleming make runoff

Cassidy lost the primary after campaigning for another Senate term and finished behind Letlow and Fleming.

Sen. Cassidy knocked out of Louisiana Republican primary as Trump-backed Letlow, Fleming make runoff
Image · LancasterOnline

SOURCE CHECK

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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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Republished from Associated Press, with credit to the original publisher.

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459 stories · 96–97 · updated Oct 7, 2026

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LancasterOnlinevia Associated Press
May 17, 2026
tl;dr

Bill Cassidy was eliminated in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary, while Julia Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a June 27 runoff. The result highlights Donald Trump’s influence in the race and leaves Cassidy’s Senate seat contested.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Bill Cassidy R · LA · SEN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Cassidy in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Cassidy’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator eliminated in the Republican primary

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Louisiana representative who advanced to the Senate runoff

Letlow's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose endorsement and attacks shaped the Republican primary

Trump's version of this story ↗

Louisiana Senate candidate who advanced to the Republican runoff

Fleming's version of this story ↗
Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative facing a Trump-backed primary challenger

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
R · Secretary of Health and Human Services

Secretary of Health and Human Services, discussed in connection with Cassidy’s support and criticism

Democratic Senate candidate who advanced to a runoff

Democratic Senate candidate in a close contest for the second runoff spot

Democratic Senate candidate in a close contest for the second runoff spot

Republican challenger to Thomas Massie

Former U.S. representative and Julia Letlow’s late husband

ALSO MENTIONED  Casey Means, Trump’s second choice for surgeon general, whose nomination was withdrawn; Dadrius Lanus, Executive director of the state Democratic Party; John Martin, Voter who said he supported Letlow because of Trump’s endorsement and remained upset with Cassidy; Landry, Political figure who suggested Letlow to Trump as a Senate challenger

Part of a bigger story

50 OUTLETS
Bill Cassidy Loses Louisiana Republican Senate Primary

Outlets agree that Bill Cassidy lost Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary and that Julia Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a runoff. Left-leaning outlets link the defeat to Cassidy’s breaks with Trump, with one article also relaying his campaign’s claim that changes to the primary process could restrict voting. Center outlets emphasize the result and Trump’s influence, while some also cover Cassidy’s concession or praise from Mitt Romney. Right-leaning outlets tie the loss to Cassidy’s impeachment vote and Trump’s intervention, and some frame it as a rebuke of Cassidy’s opposition to Trump.

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