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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Sen. Cassidy ousted in Louisiana GOP primary, as two rivals advance to runoff

Trump backed Letlow and attacked Cassidy as part of his effort to influence the Louisiana Republican primary.

Sen. Cassidy ousted in Louisiana GOP primary, as two rivals advance to runoff
Image · Los Angeles Times

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Outlet credibilityLos Angeles Times85/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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Los Angeles Timesoriginal publisher not identified
May 16, 2026
tl;dr

Bill Cassidy failed to advance from Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary, leaving Julia Letlow and John Fleming to compete in a June 27 runoff. The result follows a campaign in which President Trump backed Letlow and criticized Cassidy.

Community verdict

42 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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People in this story

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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Letlow and publicly criticized Cassidy

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Louisiana Senate candidate and state treasurer who advanced to the runoff

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

Louisiana senator who failed to advance from the Republican Senate primary

Cassidy's version of this story ↗
Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Louisiana representative and Republican Senate candidate who advanced to the runoff

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

Kentucky representative facing a separate Republican primary

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

Health secretary whose confirmation and vaccine policies are discussed as campaign context

Republican challenger to Thomas Massie in Kentucky

ALSO MENTIONED  Casey Means, Trump’s second choice for surgeon general whose nomination was withdrawn; Dadrius Lanus, Executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party who reported voter calls about election changes; Jeff Landry, Louisiana governor who suggested Letlow as a Senate candidate; Mary-Patricia Wray, Political consultant who discussed how changes to the primary schedule could affect turnout

Part of a bigger story

34 OUTLETS
Bill Cassidy Finishes Third in Louisiana Republican Primary

Donald Trump backed Julia Letlow and opposed Bill Cassidy, who finished third in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary as Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a runoff. Left-leaning outlets portray the defeat as part of Trump’s effort to remove Republicans who oppose him. Center outlets also connect the result to Trump’s pressure on GOP critics, but emphasize what it shows about his influence over the party. Right-leaning outlets mostly present the result as a win for Trump over Cassidy, with one linking it to Cassidy’s impeachment vote and another crediting Trump’s political influence.

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