Louisiana GOP Senate Primary Advances to Runoff After Cassidy Defeat

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his bid for a third term in the Louisiana GOP Senate primary on Saturday, with NBC News projecting that Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming will advance to a June 27 runoff. Cassidy, who voted to convict President Donald Trump on impeachment charges after the Jan.

6, 2021, Capitol riot, trailed both challengers in early returns. Letlow held a wide lead while Fleming and Cassidy competed for the second spot.

With no candidate reaching a majority, the top two advance under Louisiana rules. Letlow performed strongly in the northeast part of the state, while Fleming led in some northwestern counties and Cassidy drew support in southeastern population centers and the Baton Rouge area.

Trump congratulated Letlow on a "fantastic race" and called her a "spectacular person" in a Truth Social post. "When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to. But you don’t pout, you don’t whine, you don’t claim the election was stolen," Cassidy said.

He added that the country "is not about one individual" and that loyalty belongs to the Constitution and the welfare of Americans. Cassidy also told Fox News he does not regret his 2021 impeachment vote and continues to work with the Trump administration on judicial appointments.

" Fleming, who served as Trump’s deputy chief of staff in his first term, said he was the "sole conservative" in the race and blamed Gov. Voters at Baton Rouge polling places cited Cassidy’s impeachment vote as a key factor. Some said they were voting against him rather than for another candidate.

Cassidy had faced his first primary challenge since the 2021 vote and had drawn criticism over public health issues involving Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Louisiana’s House primary elections were postponed after the Supreme Court struck down current congressional district lines in Louisiana v.

Callais. Lawmakers advanced a new map that would give Republicans an advantage in five House districts.