Trump-backed Julia Letlow Defeats Senator Bill Cassidy in Louisiana Republican Primary
Congresswoman Julia Letlow, a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has defeated two-term Republican Senator Bill Cassidy in Louisiana's primary election. Senator Cassidy, 68, was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump following the 6 January 2021 Capitol attack.
Letlow will now proceed to a run-off election next month against State Treasurer John Fleming, another Trump-aligned candidate. Neither Letlow nor Fleming secured an outright majority, necessitating the second contest in late June. The victor of this run-off will then challenge a Democratic candidate in the general election.
Donald Trump had branded Senator Cassidy a "disloyal disaster" ahead of Saturday's vote, actively campaigning for Letlow. Of the seven Republicans who voted for Trump's conviction, only three, including Cassidy, remained in the Senate prior to this election. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine are the others.
Letlow, 45, is Louisiana's first Republican woman elected to Congress, winning a special election in 2021. She has criticised Senator Cassidy for perceived disloyalty to the Republican Party, asserting that Louisiana's constituents should not have to second-guess their senator's allegiances under pressure. Trump reiterated his support for Letlow and denounced Cassidy on social media as polls opened, later declaring Cassidy's political career "OVER!" after the results were announced.
Senator Cassidy, a gastroenterologist, also faced scrutiny from right-wing factions for his vocal advocacy of vaccines. Conversely, he accused Letlow of insufficient conservatism, referencing her 2020 remarks supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in education.
