Trump-Backed Candidate Wins Closely-Watched Senate Runoff Election

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) won the Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate in Louisiana on Saturday night, defeating State Treasurer John Fleming. With nearly all votes counted, Letlow received approximately 56.9% of the vote (around 179,971 votes) to Fleming’s 43.1% (around 136,567 votes).

The runoff followed the May 16 Republican primary, in which no candidate secured a majority. Letlow led with about 45% of the vote, Fleming took roughly 28%, and incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy finished third with about 24-25%, failing to advance.

Letlow, who represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, stepped away from her House seat to pursue the Senate nomination. Fleming, a former congressman and Trump administration official, advanced as the second-place finisher.

President Donald Trump endorsed Letlow early in the cycle, publicly encouraging her candidacy with the statement “RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!” on social media. This support positioned her as the leading challenger to Cassidy, whom Trump targeted due to Cassidy’s 2021 vote to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial on charges related to the January 6 Capitol protests.

Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators to vote for conviction in that trial. Trump’s endorsement remained central to Letlow’s campaign messaging throughout the primary and runoff.

Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow wins the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Louisiana after ousting Sen. Bill Cassidy in May. https://t.co/WCYe9mvB4p pic.twitter.com/WfaQst7ad4

— The Associated Press (@AP) June 28, 2026

“President Trump, thank you for encouraging me to get into this race, thank you for your endorsement, Louisiana loves you,” Letlow said following Saturday night’s victory.

She also thanked supporters, referenced her late husband Luke Letlow (whose congressional seat she succeeded), and outlined her priorities. “I will fight for our families. I will fight for our farmers. I will fight for our teachers. I will fight for our parents. I will fight for our law enforcement. I will fight for everyone in this room. Every breath I have left, I will be fighting for Louisiana.”

Letlow, 45, first entered Congress via a 2021 special election after her husband’s death from COVID-19 complications shortly before he was to assume office. She has served on the House Appropriations Committee and emphasized conservative policy positions aligned with Trump’s priorities, including tax and spending measures, immigration enforcement, and election integrity.

Letlow will face Democrat Jamie Davis in the November 2026 general election. Davis, a farmer from Waterproof, Louisiana, comfortably won his party’s runoff against Gary Crockett.

The Republican is widely expected to cruise to victory in November, given the state’s partisan lean.

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