Thune Says He Will Not Endorse in Louisiana Senate Runoff

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday he will not endorse either candidate in the Louisiana Senate runoff scheduled for June 27. Thune told the Washington Examiner he had no preference between Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming.

The two candidates finished ahead of Sen. Bill Cassidy in Saturday's primary. “We'll see how it plays out, but at this point, it's going to be up to the voters,” Thune said.

Letlow received 45 percent of the vote.

Fleming received 28 percent, and Cassidy received 25 percent. Louisiana law requires a runoff between the top two finishers when no candidate receives a majority. Thune had endorsed Cassidy for reelection and sought support from President Donald Trump. Trump instead endorsed Letlow before the primary.

Statements from Louisiana Senators Cassidy and Sen.

John Kennedy both said Monday they will remain neutral in the runoff. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise endorsed Letlow on Monday, describing her as a strong conservative fighter. Thune called Cassidy a very principled conservative and independent thinker. He said Cassidy can still play a role in Senate business during his remaining months in office.