La. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy fails to make runoff in primary, as Trump-backed challenger tops vote

Published: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 2:56 am

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy Falls Short in Primary, Trump-Backed Challenger Leads

Washington - Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has failed to secure a spot in the upcoming runoff election, losing to a Trump-endorsed challenger. Preliminary results from Saturday's Republican primary show Representative Julia Letlow leading the field with 44.8% of the vote, followed by State Treasurer John Fleming with 28.4%. Senator Cassidy trailed with 24.7% of the vote.

Letlow and Fleming will now compete in a runoff election scheduled for June 27th. Letlow is considered the frontrunner, bolstered by the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who reiterated his support on social media.

Cassidy's defeat is likely linked to his past actions, including his vote to convict Trump of inciting insurrection following the January 6th Capitol riot. He also publicly called on Trump to withdraw from the 2024 election. Trump responded by preemptively endorsing Letlow in January, before she even announced her candidacy. Trump also criticized Cassidy on social media during the election.

The race also saw some intra-party squabbling. House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the awkwardness of the three-way race, given his close ties to Letlow and Fleming. Meanwhile, Cassidy and Fleming criticized Letlow's past career and her support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

This outcome follows a trend of Trump-backed candidates succeeding in recent primaries. The next test of Trump's influence within the Republican party will be on Tuesday, when Representative Thomas Massie faces off against Ed Gallrein, who is backed by the President.

BNN's Perspective:

This primary result highlights the continued power of Donald Trump within the Republican Party. While Senator Cassidy's stance on Trump may have alienated some voters, the outcome also underscores the importance of local dynamics and candidate platforms. The runoff election will be a key indicator of the direction of the Louisiana Republican Party.

Keywords: Bill Cassidy, Julia Letlow, John Fleming, Donald Trump, Republican primary, Louisiana, runoff election, endorsement, impeachment, January 6th, election, GOP, Trump influence

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