Julia Letlow, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, is competing against John Fleming, the state Treasurer, in the Louisiana Senate runoff election on Saturday. Letlow received nearly 45% of the vote in the initial primary, while Fleming garnered approximately 28%. Bill Cassidy, the incumbent senator, placed third and will not be on the ballot.
The outcome of this runoff is not expected to influence the overall midterm elections, as the winner is likely to secure the general election against the Democratic nominee in Louisiana. Two Democrats, Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett, are also in a primary runoff on the same day.
Letlow has received endorsements from several sitting senators, while Fleming, a former congressman and founder of the House Freedom Caucus, remains closely aligned with Trump despite not receiving his endorsement. Recent polling indicates Letlow as the favorite, although Fleming's campaign claims to be leading in internal polling.
Senate Republican leadership has remained neutral in this runoff, despite Cassidy's defeat being part of a trend where Trump-endorsed candidates have challenged and defeated incumbent Republicans. Cassidy's tensions with Trump have been noted, particularly following Cassidy's impeachment vote against Trump in 2021.