Trump-Backed Letlow Leads Louisiana Senate Primary; Cassidy Falls to Third

Louisiana voters delivered a clear rebuke to Senator Bill Cassidy on Saturday, ending his bid for a third term after he became one of the few Republicans to vote to convict Donald Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial. With all votes counted, Representative Julia Letlow, the candidate endorsed by Trump, led the field with nearly 45 percent. State Treasurer John Fleming finished second with about 28 percent, advancing with Letlow to a June 27 runoff. Cassidy placed third with roughly 25 percent and will not continue.

The outcome follows years of tension between Cassidy and Trump. Cassidy was one of seven Senate Republicans who supported conviction after the January 6 Capitol riot, arguing that Trump had incited the violence and undermined the peaceful transfer of power. Trump responded by repeatedly labeling Cassidy disloyal and, on the morning of the primary, posted on Truth Social that the senator was a "disloyal disaster" and a "sleazebag" who was "bad for Louisiana." The president urged voters to back Letlow and Fleming instead.

Cassidy had tried to narrow the distance with Trump in recent months, highlighting areas of legislative cooperation and telling reporters that the two men "work really well together." Those efforts proved insufficient against an electorate that has grown more aligned with Trump's priorities. Letlow, who entered Congress after winning a special election in 2021, positioned herself as a consistent supporter of the president's agenda. Fleming, a former Trump administration official, similarly appealed to voters seeking stronger alignment with the White House.

The result fits a broader pattern in which Republicans who directly challenged Trump on matters of accountability have faced primary challenges or chosen not to run again. Of the seven senators who voted to convict, only three remained in office entering this cycle. Cassidy's defeat removes another. In his concession remarks, he avoided naming Trump but stressed that loyalty belongs to the Constitution and the welfare of the country rather than to any single individual. The comments echoed arguments he made during the impeachment proceedings five years earlier.

Letlow and Fleming now face each other in the runoff. Both candidates have emphasized conservative priorities on spending, border security, and opposition to federal diversity initiatives. Letlow has drawn particular attention for her criticism of Cassidy's past support for certain bipartisan measures. The winner will face a Democratic opponent in November in a state that has trended strongly Republican in federal races.

Turnout in the primary was modest, consistent with off-year contests, yet the margin reflected the durability of Trump's standing among the party's most engaged voters. Cassidy had outspent his rivals and maintained a record of delivering federal funding for Louisiana projects, but those advantages did not overcome the political cost of his 2021 vote. The episode illustrates how personal loyalty to Trump has become a central qualification for advancement in many Republican primaries, even for incumbents with otherwise conventional conservative records.