Trump Endorses Letlow, Sparking a Senate Race Shake-up in Louisiana
Just a few days after President Donald Trump made waves by backing Republican Rep. Julia Letlow over incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy in the Louisiana Senate race, sources suggest that Letlow might kick off her campaign this week.
Trump’s endorsement of Letlow, who took office in 2021 following her husband Luke’s death from COVID-19, poses a significant challenge for Cassidy. Cassidy has been a prominent figure, serving as an internist and chair of the Senate health committee while aiming for a third six-year term in a state that heavily favors Republicans.
This situation also complicates matters for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who is backing Cassidy and recently collaborated with him in Louisiana.
On Saturday night, Trump stirred up an already dynamic Republican Senate primary in Louisiana. He took to social media to express his support for Letlow, stating, “Julia Letlow has my full support. Run, Julia, run!!!”
Letlow responded indirectly to Trump’s message, indicating her desire to ensure a safer and stronger future for the next generation, emphasizing that the Senate seat should represent Louisiana’s conservative leadership.
There has been ongoing speculation regarding Letlow’s intentions, and GOP insiders have confirmed that she wouldn’t pursue a challenge against Cassidy without Trump’s backing. Meanwhile, Trump reached out to Thune recently to alert him about his stance on Letlow.
Thune continues to support Cassidy, who has also gained the endorsement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. However, the Senate Leadership Fund, a major super PAC aligned with Senate Republicans, has chosen to remain neutral regarding the Louisiana primary.
Reportedly, the Senate Leadership Fund stated that its objective is to maintain and enhance the Republican majority in the Senate, implying that any internal conflicts could jeopardize those goals.
Despite Trump’s endorsement, Cassidy remains resolute in his campaign. He stated, “I’m proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana,” and expressed confidence in Letlow’s potential candidacy.
As of late October, Cassidy had approximately $10 million raised for his campaign, while Letlow had around $2.3 million. If she officially enters the race, it’s anticipated that her funding could increase significantly.
Cassidy has faced scrutiny, especially after voting to convict Trump during the Senate impeachment trial following the January 6 Capitol attack. However, PACs with Trump ties are now showing support for Letlow, further intensifying the situation. Additionally, Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming, who once served under Trump, is also a candidate against Cassidy.
Fleming has noted in recent updates that polls are leaning in his favor, indicating that Cassidy’s support may be waning. Other candidates include State Sen. Blake Miguez and State Rep. Julie Emerson, while former Rep. Garrett Graves is still contemplating a run.
Trump’s backing of Letlow has raised questions about whether he might influence the upcoming competitive Senate primary in Texas, where long-standing Sen. John Cornyn faces challenges from key Trump allies.
