WASHINGTON — In a surprising turn of events, Louisiana’s Republican primary voters have ousted Sen. Bill Cassidy, denying him a chance at a third term. The primary results show Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.), who boasts an endorsement from former President Trump, and state Treasurer John Fleming, as the frontrunners.
With 92 percent of votes tallied, Letlow was leading with 44.8 percent, followed by Fleming at 28.4 percent. Cassidy trailed with 24.7 percent, according to projections by the Associated Press. This outcome sets the stage for a runoff on June 27 between Letlow and Fleming, with Letlow heavily favored due to Trump’s backing, a support he reaffirmed on Truth Social upon his return from a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Following the announcement of Cassidy’s defeat, Trump took to social media to express his satisfaction.
“Bill Cassidy…voted to impeach me on ridiculous and false charges, which are now deemed absurd!” Trump commented on Truth Social. “His betrayal to the person who helped him win office is now legendary, and it’s satisfying to see his political journey come to an end!”
Cassidy, aged 68, was among the seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump on charges of incitement of insurrection after the January 6, 2021, Capitol incident. With Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) up for a challenging re-election this November, the possibility remains that only one—Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—will remain when the 120th Congress convenes on January 3, 2027.
Cassidy, 68, is one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump of incitement of insurrection following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. With Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) facing a tough re-election fight this November, that number could be reduced to one — Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — when the 120th Congress convenes on Jan. 3, 2027.
Beyond the impeachment vote, Cassidy also called on Trump to drop out of the 2024 election in the wake of his indictment on charges of hoarding national security documents at Mar-a-Lago and has claimed the administration is not pro-life enough.
Trump got his revenge by pre-emptively endorsing Letlow in January, before she even declared her candidacy, ensuring Cassidy would have to fight for the renomination.
President Trump took one more kick at Cassidy shorty before the results were known, branding him “disloyal” on social media.
“Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is a disloyal disaster. His entire past campaign for the Senate was about ‘TRUMP,’ how he’s with me all the way, and then, after winning, he turned around and voted to IMPEACH me for something that has now proven to be total “bulls—!” Trump posted on Truth Social Saturday while the vote was going on.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the most powerful Pelican Stater in Washington, admitted Wednesday that the three-cornered fight left him in an “awkward situation,” saying Letlow was “like a sister to me” and noting that Fleming had preceeded him in representing Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District.
Cassidy had spent months trying to bury the hatchet with Trump, even begrudgingly voting to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary despite clashing with the nominee over vaccines.
Meanwhile, Cassidy and Fleming needled Letlow over her past career as a top official at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, during which she described herself as a “strong and progressive leader” and backed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Cassidy’s defeat continues a strong month for Trump’s endorsees after five Indiana Republican lawmakers who defied him over redistricting were beaten in their primaries.
The next test of Trump’s sway over the GOP is set for Tuesday, when libertarian Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), faces off against farmer and former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who is backed by the president.
