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

Letlow is Trump’s endorsed challenger to Cassidy in the Louisiana Republican Senate primary.

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

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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
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 and Republican Senate candidate endorsed by Trump

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President seeking to unseat Cassidy by backing Letlow

Trump'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

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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