U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow secured a decisive lead in the Louisiana Republican primary for the U.S. Senate on Saturday, marking a significant moment in state politics. Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy failed to reach the threshold required for a runoff, effectively ending his bid for a third term. State Treasurer John Fleming finished second, advancing both himself and Letlow to the runoff election scheduled for June 27.
Unofficial results showed Letlow with roughly 45 percent of the vote, Fleming at 28 percent, and Cassidy at 25 percent, with the remainder divided among other candidates. Louisiana’s primary system moves the top two candidates to a runoff if no one achieves a majority, setting the stage for a head-to-head contest between Letlow and Fleming. The general election in November is expected to favor the Republican nominee in the traditionally GOP-leaning state.
President Donald Trump, who endorsed Letlow earlier this year, celebrated her primary victory on Truth Social, highlighting her strong alignment with the administration’s priorities. Trump praised Letlow as “a fantastic person” and indicated his confidence in her potential to serve as a U.S. Senator for Louisiana, referencing the state’s economic growth under his energy policies.
Trump also criticized Cassidy in his post, pointing to the senator’s vote to convict him during the 2021 impeachment trial. Cassidy, first elected in 2014, acknowledged the primary results and congratulated both Letlow and Fleming, emphasizing his respect for the electoral process despite the unexpected outcome.
Looking ahead, Letlow enters the June 27 runoff as the frontrunner. A recent poll by Quantus Insights showed her leading Fleming 45.4 percent to 39.6 percent, with 15 percent of voters undecided. The results will determine who represents the Republican Party in Louisiana’s Senate race this November.