Rep. Julia Letlow advanced to the general election in Louisiana's Senate race after winning the Republican runoff against state Treasurer John Fleming, extending President Donald Trump's winning streak in his preferred candidate contests.
Letlow claimed 45% of votes in the initial May 16 primary, enough to finish ahead of Fleming's 28%, though not enough to avoid a runoff. Incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial, finished third with 25% and failed to qualify for the runoff contest.
Trump's endorsement proved decisive in the matchup. The president held a telerally with Letlow on Thursday night, where she pledged to champion his legislative agenda. "I promise you this: When I get to the United States Senate, I will never back down from fighting for your America First agenda," she told Trump during the call.
Letlow framed the race as a test of conviction, contrasting herself as "a real conservative fighter" against what she characterized as career politicians unwilling to save the country. She specifically backed eliminating the Senate filibuster to advance Trump's Save America Act, a package designed to reshape election law.
Fleming attempted to outmaneuver Letlow on Trump loyalty, criticizing her past support for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and certain foreign aid spending. Letlow responded by telling NBC News she had reconsidered her DEI position after recognizing what "it really was" and had shifted to opposing it.
Beyond Trump's endorsement, Letlow benefited from a super PAC spending campaign and support from Louisiana's political establishment. Gov. Jeff Landry, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Rep. Clay Higgins all backed her candidacy.
The general election outlook heavily favors Letlow. Louisiana voted for Trump by 22 points in 2024, and Republicans dominate statewide races in the state. Democrat Jamie Davis, a farmer, won his party's Senate nomination Saturday night but faces an uphill climb in the general election.
Letlow has served nearly three terms in the House since winning a special election in 2021. She sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee. Her path to Congress came after her late husband, Luke Letlow, won a House seat in 2020 but died of Covid before taking office.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Letlow's victory shows Trump still has muscle in primary fights, but her flip on DEI and other issues raises real questions about what she actually stands for versus what plays well in his orbit."
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