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

Fleming advanced to a runoff against Letlow after Cassidy was eliminated from the primary.

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

SOURCE CHECK

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Outlet credibilityOrlandosentinel79/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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Cites Associated Press

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Associated Press96/100 HIGH

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

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Orlandosentinelcites Associated Press
May 17, 2026
tl;dr

Bill Cassidy lost Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary, while Julia Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a June 27 runoff. The result followed a campaign shaped by Donald Trump’s endorsement of Letlow and his attacks on Cassidy.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
John Fleming R · LA
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Louisiana Senate candidate who advanced to the Republican runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Louisiana representative and Republican Senate candidate who advanced to the runoff

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

Louisiana senator defeated in the Republican primary

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

President who endorsed Letlow and attacked Cassidy during the campaign

Trump'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 whose nomination Cassidy supported

Democratic Senate candidate who advanced to a runoff

Democratic Senate candidate whose place in a runoff remained too close to call

Democratic Senate candidate whose place in a runoff remained too close to call

Trump-backed challenger to Thomas Massie in Kentucky

Julia Letlow’s husband, elected to the House but deceased before taking office

ALSO MENTIONED  Casey Means, Trump’s second choice for surgeon general; Dadrius Lanus, Executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party; John Martin, Louisiana voter who said he planned to vote for Letlow; Landry, Louisiana political figure who suggested Letlow to Trump

Part of a bigger story

22 OUTLETS
Letlow and Fleming Advance to Louisiana Senate Runoff

Outlets agree that Bill Cassidy lost Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary and Julia Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a runoff. Fleming’s role is to face Letlow in the contest for the Republican nomination. Left-leaning outlets connect the result to Trump’s endorsement and Cassidy’s past impeachment vote, while also noting Cassidy’s criticism of election denial. Center outlets mostly report the result and place it in the context of Trump’s influence, with some also discussing election-process issues or the runoff outlook. Right-leaning outlets more strongly cast Cassidy’s defeat as tied to Trump’s influence and Cassidy’s vote to convict him.

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