President Donald Trump made a final push Friday for Representative Julia Letlow in Louisiana's Senate runoff, urging Republicans to back the congresswoman in a race that has become a proxy battle against a GOP incumbent who crossed him. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, dubbed Letlow a “Great Star” and a “TOTAL WINNER,” framing the contest as a test of loyalty to his America First agenda.
Letlow, a first-term House member, faces state Treasurer John Fleming in Saturday's runoff. The two advanced after incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy finished third in the May primary, failing to secure a spot in the two-way race. Cassidy, a physician and former Trump ally, drew the president’s wrath by voting to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Trump’s endorsement underscores his ongoing effort to reshape the GOP in his image, targeting lawmakers who broke with him. In his Truth Social post, Trump praised Letlow as a “Highly Respected America First Congresswoman” and said she has “always delivered for Louisiana.” He added that she would fight to boost the state’s economy, cut taxes, support its energy sector, and maintain law and order. “She has my Complete and Total Endorsement, and will never let you down!” Trump wrote.
Trump also held a tele-rally Friday to rally support for Letlow, emphasizing his personal knowledge of her. “I know Julia well, have seen her tested at the highest and most difficult levels,” he said, a reference to her entry into politics under tragic circumstances. Letlow was first elected to the House in a 2021 special election after her husband, Representative-elect Luke Letlow, died of COVID-19 complications before being sworn in.
In the May primary, Letlow led the field with nearly 45 percent of the vote, according to Decision Desk HQ. Fleming secured 28.3 percent, while Cassidy was eliminated with 24.8 percent. The deep-red state, which Trump carried in 2016, 2020, and 2024, makes the GOP nominee the heavy favorite in November’s general election.
Letlow built her campaign around her Trump allegiance, criticizing Cassidy for his impeachment vote. Cassidy was one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump, a move that made him a target of the former president’s ire. Trump’s backing of Letlow mirrors his broader strategy of endorsing challengers to GOP incumbents who opposed him, a pattern seen in races from Ohio to New York. In a related development, Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine broke with Trump over immigration policy, deeming the termination of Temporary Protected Status for certain migrants “a mistake.”
Political analysts view the Louisiana runoff as a bellwether for Trump’s influence within the party. Letlow’s victory would signal that Trump’s stamp of approval remains decisive in GOP primaries, even as he faces legal challenges and a crowded field of presidential contenders. Fleming, a former congressman and state treasurer, has also sought to align himself with Trump but has struggled to match Letlow’s fundraising and grassroots support.
The runoff comes amid a broader political landscape where Trump continues to dominate headlines. His recent call for a harsh sentence for former National Security Adviser John Bolton, who pleaded guilty to charges related to his memoir, and his warning that socialist primary wins in New York City signal a Democratic crisis, underscore his ongoing influence. Trump has also escalated trade tensions, threatening 100% tariffs over the EU’s digital tax on US tech firms.
For Louisiana Republicans, the choice between Letlow and Fleming is stark: Letlow represents a continuation of Trump’s brand of politics, while Fleming offers a more traditional conservative approach. The winner will face a Democratic opponent in the fall, but in a state where Trump won by double digits, the primary effectively decides the seat.
Letlow’s personal story has resonated with voters. After her husband’s death, she stepped into the political arena, winning a special election to fill his seat. She quickly became a vocal Trump supporter and a leading critic of Cassidy. Her campaign has emphasized her commitment to conservative values and her ability to work with Trump’s coalition.
As Saturday’s vote approaches, both candidates are making final appeals. Trump’s endorsement may prove decisive, but Fleming’s experience as state treasurer and his own ties to the Trump administration could still sway undecided voters. The outcome will be closely watched by national Republicans as a gauge of Trump’s enduring grip on the party.
