Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary delivered a decisive rebuke to incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy on Saturday, as Decision Desk HQ projected he would not advance to the runoff. Cassidy, a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, fell short against two Trump-aligned challengers: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming.
Letlow, who earned Trump’s endorsement in the race, and Fleming, a former congressman now serving as treasurer, will now compete in a runoff to determine the GOP nominee. The outcome marks a significant shift in Louisiana’s political landscape, where Cassidy had held the seat since 2015.
Polling from last month showed Cassidy trailing both Letlow and Fleming, underscoring the potency of Trump’s influence in the state. The former president had repeatedly attacked Cassidy, calling him a “disloyal disaster” for his vote to convict Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial. For more on that dynamic, see Trump’s sharp criticism of Cassidy ahead of the primary.
On the Democratic side, farmer Jamie Davis and consultant Gary Crockett advanced to their party’s runoff. Former Gov. John Bel Edwards’ aide Nick Albares finished third, failing to secure a spot in the next round.
Polls closed at 8 p.m. CDT, and results streamed in through Decision Desk HQ’s live tracker. The runoff elections are expected to draw heightened national attention as both parties vie for control of the Senate. For a deeper look at how this race unfolded, read our earlier coverage on Letlow’s challenge to Cassidy.
Cassidy’s defeat underscores the ongoing intraparty struggle between establishment Republicans and Trump-aligned populists. His failure to advance—despite incumbency and a campaign war chest—signals that loyalty to the former president remains a litmus test for GOP voters in Louisiana. The runoff between Letlow and Fleming will test whether that dynamic holds, or if a more traditional conservative can regain ground.
Letlow, who entered Congress in 2021 after winning a special election, has positioned herself as a staunch conservative and Trump ally. Fleming, a former physician and congressman, brings a similarly conservative record but with longer tenure in state office. The runoff is set for later this year, with both candidates expected to compete aggressively for the Trump base.
This primary also carries broader implications for national politics, as Louisiana’s Senate seat could help determine the balance of power in Washington. For more on how this race fits into the larger GOP landscape, see our analysis of Cassidy’s ouster and the Trump-backed candidates advancing.
