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

Letlow advanced to the runoff after winning support from Trump and finishing ahead of Cassidy.

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
Julia Letlow R · LA-5
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Louisiana representative who advanced to the Senate runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose endorsement and attacks shaped the Republican primary

Trump's version of this story ↗
Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator eliminated in the Republican primary

Cassidy'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

43 OUTLETS
Julia Letlow Advances to Louisiana Senate Runoff

Julia Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a runoff in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary, while Bill Cassidy finished third and did not advance. Letlow had President Trump’s endorsement. Center outlets emphasize the result and often present the race as a test of Trump’s influence, with Cassidy’s impeachment vote as context. Right-leaning outlets also stress Trump’s role but more often cast Cassidy’s loss as payback for that vote.

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