Trump-Backed Candidate Advances in Louisiana Senate Primary

Representative Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming advanced to a runoff in the Louisiana Republican primary for Senate after defeating incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy on Saturday. With most results tabulated, Letlow received 45 percent of the vote, Fleming received roughly 28 percent and Cassidy received just under 25 percent.

Since no candidate reached 50 percent, Letlow and Fleming will face each other next month for the Republican nomination. The outcome marks the first time an elected Republican senator has lost renomination since Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana in 2012.

President Trump endorsed Letlow before she entered the race in January and called her a winner who will never let voters down. Letlow told supporters that Louisiana made it clear it is ready for strong conservative leadership that will stand with the president.

“Louisiana made it clear tonight: we are ready for strong conservative leadership that will stand with President Trump and never waver." — Rep. After conceding, Cassidy told supporters that when you participate in democracy sometimes it does not turn out the way you want it to, but you do not pout or claim the election was stolen. The winner of the runoff will be the favorite to keep the seat in Republican hands in the general election.”