Louisiana GOP Senate Primary Advances Trump-Backed Candidate and Treasurer to Runoff

Louisiana Republican primary voters on Saturday denied Sen. Bill Cassidy a third term, projecting him to finish third behind Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming. With 92 percent of the vote counted, Letlow led with 44.8 percent and Fleming held second place with 28.4 percent, according to the Associated Press projection. Cassidy received 24.7 percent.

Fleming will meet in a June 27 runoff.

Letlow is viewed as the favorite after receiving President Trump's endorsement in January. " Cassidy, 68, was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict President Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He later cast the deciding vote to advance Robert F.

's nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Fleming described himself as "the only conservative MAGA Republican" in the race. Earlier this month, five Indiana Republican lawmakers who opposed his redistricting efforts lost their primaries. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the three-way contest left him in an "awkward situation," noting personal ties to both Letlow and Fleming.

On the Democratic side, third-generation farmer Jamie Davis won the party's nomination. Louisiana has not elected a Democratic senator since 2008.