Trump scores major Republican primary victory as Cassidy ousted in Louisiana
Former President Donald Trump scored a major victory in the Louisiana Republican Senate primary as his endorsed candidate, Rep. Julia Letlow, advanced to a runoff alongside John Fleming, ousting incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy. Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial, became the first elected Republican senator to lose renomination since 2012. The results underscore Trump's enduring influence within the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
- ▪Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana lost his Republican renomination bid after being challenged by Trump-backed candidates.
- ▪Rep. Julia Letlow and Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming advanced to a runoff after no candidate received over 50% of the vote.
- ▪Cassidy is the first elected Republican senator to lose renomination since Sen. Richard Lugar in 2012.
- ▪Trump's endorsement played a significant role in the primary, with Letlow calling it 'the most powerful endorsement in the world.'
- ▪Louisiana is a solidly red state, which Trump won by 22 points in the 2024 presidential election.
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Republicans Trump scores major Republican primary victory as Cassidy ousted in Louisiana Cassidy becomes the first elected GOP senator to lose renomination since 2012 after backing Trump's conviction By Paul Steinhauser Fox News Published May 16, 2026 10:53pm EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Trump-backed Senate candidate Rep Julia Letlow says the president’s endorsement ‘means everything in this race’ Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., the Trump-backed candidate primary challenging incumbent Sen.
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