Skip to main content
10 min read

In Louisiana primary, Sen. Bill Cassidy tries to survive Trump's ire

Trump’s endorsement of Letlow and opposition to Cassidy are central to the race’s political stakes.

In Louisiana primary, Sen. Bill Cassidy tries to survive Trump's ire
Image · The Christian Science Monitor

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Outlet credibilityThe Christian Science Monitor82/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
tl;dr

Sen. Bill Cassidy is fighting for his political survival in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary, where President Donald Trump is backing Rep. Julia Letlow and Cassidy faces criticism over his impeachment vote and clashes with the administration. A late-April poll showed Cassidy trailing both Letlow and John Fleming.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President seeking to unseat Cassidy by backing Letlow

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Louisiana representative and Republican Senate candidate endorsed by Trump

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

Louisiana senator seeking reelection amid opposition from Trump and two Republican challengers

Cassidy's version of this story ↗
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Maine senator facing reelection

Former president whose infrastructure law Cassidy helped negotiate

Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Alaska senator cited as a Republican who won reelection despite a Trump-backed challenger

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

Secretary of Health and Human Services

Louisiana treasurer and Republican Senate candidate challenging Cassidy

Julia Letlow’s late husband, elected to Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District in 2020

ALSO MENTIONED  Casey Means, Trump’s original nominee for surgeon general; Jeff Landry, Louisiana governor; Jim Gilbert, Denham Springs city council member and Cassidy supporter; Steven McCain, Grant Parish sheriff and Cassidy supporter; Woody Jenkins, Former Louisiana state representative and Republican political figure

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.

Discussion · 0

What's your take?

Loading comments…