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Sen. Cassidy battles Trump-backed challenger in Louisiana Republican primary

Letlow advanced to the runoff after receiving Trump’s endorsement and finishing ahead of Cassidy.

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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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May 15, 2026
tl;dr

Bill Cassidy lost Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary, while Julia Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a runoff. The result underscored the influence of Donald Trump’s endorsement and opposition within the Republican Party.

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 who advanced to the runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
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 whose endorsement and attacks figured prominently in the primary

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

Kentucky representative facing a Trump-backed challenger in an upcoming primary

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

Secretary of Health and Human Services and former nominee for the department’s leadership

Democratic Senate candidate who advanced to a runoff

Democratic Senate candidate whose runoff position remained undecided

Democratic Senate candidate whose runoff position remained undecided

Republican House candidate challenging Thomas Massie

Louisiana treasurer and Republican Senate candidate who advanced to the runoff

ALSO MENTIONED  Casey Means, Trump’s second choice for surgeon general; Dadrius Lanus, Executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party

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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