Congresswoman Julia Letlow has won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in Louisiana, a victory backed by former President Donald Trump and signaling a shift in the state’s Republican representation. Letlow defeated state Treasurer John Fleming in a runoff election, securing a path to potentially replace Senator Bill Cassidy, whom Trump had labeled a "RINO" after his impeachment vote.
Letlow, an ardent supporter of Trump, secured the endorsement early in the primary. She finished first in the initial GOP primary on May 16, garnering nearly 45 percent of the vote, while Fleming received about 28 percent and Cassidy secured nearly 25 percent. Trump publicly supported Letlow, stating in an online rally that "Louisiana stands with President Trump" and that he endorsed her because "he knows I will stand with him."
Letlow, a former college administrator, has served in the House of Representatives since 2021. Her path to Congress began after her husband, Luke Letlow, died from COVID-19 complications shortly after being elected to represent Louisiana's 1st congressional district in 2020. She won a special election to fill his seat. If elected to the Senate, Letlow would become Louisiana's first female Republican senator in the heavily Republican state. She has pledged to work closely with Trump to advance his political agenda.
Fleming, a founder of the conservative House Freedom Caucus during his time in Congress and a former Trump administration official, campaigned on his conservative credentials and loyalty to Trump's "Make America Great Again" movement. He highlighted his voting record, suggesting it was more conservative than Letlow's. Fleming also alleged that White House allies of Governor Jeff Landry, who also endorsed Letlow, had blocked his attempts to secure Trump's endorsement.
During the runoff campaign, the two candidates engaged in sharp exchanges. Fleming's campaign used an AI-generated video that purported to show Letlow supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, a stance Trump has opposed. Letlow, who stated she supported DEI while interviewing for a university president position in 2020 but now opposes it, condemned the video, particularly its reference to her late husband.
Fleming also centered his campaign on opposition to carbon capture and sequestration projects, citing concerns over private property rights and federal subsidies. Letlow, meanwhile, emphasized her support for social conservative priorities, including legislation to bar transgender women and girls from participating in school sports.
In the Democratic primary, Jamie Davis, a crop farmer, defeated Gary Crockett, a Navy veteran and business executive. Trump won Louisiana by 22 percentage points in 2024, indicating a strong Republican leaning in the state.
