Republican senators who voted to convict former President Donald Trump have criticized the party establishment for not investing enough into his extensive re-election effort, as noted by Punchbowl News. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is preparing to face voters for the first time since his impeachment vote, contending with Representative Julia Letlow and Treasurer John Fleming in a challenging primary scheduled for May 16. Cassidy, despite spending millions on his campaign for a third term, expressed frustration over the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) for its lack of financial support, revealing this during a phone call.
In response, NRSC Executive Director Jennifer DeCasper had some harsh words for Cassidy, suggesting he shouldn’t have sided with Democrats to convict Trump in January 2021, according to anonymous sources cited by the outlet. The committee has released a video supporting Cassidy, and Senator Tim Scott mentioned that the NRSC intends to back incumbent Republicans, even amidst a pro-Trump candidate landscape. Recent reports indicated that a fundraiser hosted by Senator John Thune collected $652,000 for Cassidy’s campaign, and they reportedly had a total of $26 million available as of January.
A spokesperson for Cassidy did not reply to inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation, and the NRSC opted not to comment on this matter.
Scott reaffirmed that the NRSC aims to support incumbent senators during the 2026 midterms, acknowledging that Trump might face challenges while backing these incumbents. Regarding support for Cassidy, Scott commented that they plan to be involved in every race and primary.
If no candidate secures the majority in the May primary, a runoff will occur between the top two contenders on June 27. This Senate election will mark a return to traditional partisan primaries after a decade of “jungle primaries.”
A spokesperson from Letlow’s campaign expressed confidence, stating that Cassidy is struggling due to his anti-Trump history, while Letlow is benefitting from Trump’s backing. Polls indicate Letlow currently leads, with 31% of voter support compared to Cassidy’s 21% and Fleming’s 25%, raising concerns about Cassidy’s chances in the primary. In another poll from the same month, Letlow also led, but Cassidy emerged ahead in a poll funded by his own campaign.
Opinions within the Louisiana Republican circle vary; some think Letlow hasn’t solidified her position as the leading candidate despite Trump’s endorsement. Representative Mike Bayham commented that Trump’s support isn’t guaranteed and suggested Cassidy is prepared for the competition.
Letlow, previously a diversity and inclusion facilitator at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, faced scrutiny over an older video where she opposed “woke ideology.” According to Cassidy’s aide, the race is more competitive than expected, with indications that Letlow’s anticipated lead has not materialized.
Fleming, the third candidate in the primary, is a former congressman and a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus. Given Louisiana’s conservative leaning, Trump won the state by a significant margin in 2024, indicating that whoever wins the Republican primary is likely to clinch the general election in November. Cassidy, one of just three GOP senators who voted to convict Trump, remains a pivotal figure heading into a politically charged season.
