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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Sen. Cassidy Loses Louisiana GOP Primary to Trump-Backed Rep. Letlow

Letlow led the primary field and will face John Fleming in the runoff for the Republican Senate nomination.

Sen. Cassidy Loses Louisiana GOP Primary to Trump-Backed Rep. Letlow
Image · Theepochtimes

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Outlet credibilityTheepochtimes56/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
May 17, 2026
tl;dr

Julia Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a June 27 runoff after defeating incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary. Letlow led the field, while Cassidy’s loss followed a campaign shaped by his public disagreements with President Trump.

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

Representative and candidate advancing to the Louisiana Senate runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Incumbent senator who lost the Louisiana Republican primary

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

Senator from Maine mentioned as another Republican who voted to impeach Trump

Mitt Romney
Former U.S. Senator (R-UT)

Former senator from Utah mentioned as having forgone a reelection bid

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Letlow and criticized Cassidy

Patrick J. Toomey
Former U.S. Senator (R-PA)

Former senator from Pennsylvania mentioned as having forgone a reelection bid

Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Senator from Alaska mentioned as another Republican who voted to impeach Trump

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

Health secretary whose confirmation hearing was led by Cassidy

Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator from North Carolina mentioned as having forgone a reelection bid

Louisiana treasurer and Senate candidate who advanced to the runoff

ALSO MENTIONED  Casey Means, Former surgeon general nominee whose nomination Trump withdrew; Nicole Saphier, Radiologist identified as the replacement for Casey Means as surgeon general nominee

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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