Rep. Julia Letlow, backed by former President Donald Trump, won the Louisiana GOP Senate runoff, defeating State Treasurer John Fleming. This victory follows Sen. Bill Cassidy's defeat in the May 16 primary, where he failed to advance after receiving just under 25% of the vote. Cassidy's loss was largely attributed to his vote to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial, making him the first Republican senator since Luther Strange in 2017 to lose a primary reelection.
Letlow's triumph underscores Trump's ability to influence Republican primaries and replace those who have defied him. She finished the primary with nearly 45% of the vote, significantly ahead of Fleming's 28%, and has consistently garnered support from major Republican figures, including Gov. Jeff Landry and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Letlow's campaign benefited from substantial financial backing, with a super PAC supporting her spending $4 million since the primary, in addition to approximately $1 million spent by her campaign on advertising.
Fleming, a former congressman and founder of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, attempted to appeal to more ardently pro-Trump voters by highlighting his long-standing loyalty and criticizing Letlow's past support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Despite this, Letlow's broader support, including winning parishes across rural and urban areas, proved decisive. Her success is a continuation of a trend where Trump-endorsed candidates have unseated Republican incumbents who crossed him, with similar outcomes seen in Kentucky and Indiana last month.
