Trump-backed Julia Letlow Enters 2026 Louisiana Senate Race to Challenge Bill Cassidy
Rep. Julia Letlow, backed by Donald Trump, officially launches her 2026 Senate bid against incumbent Bill Cassidy. A major test for the GOP's internal dynamics.
The gloves are off in the Bayou State. Following a high-profile endorsement from Donald Trump, Rep. Julia Letlow has officially declared her primary challenge against incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy, setting the stage for one of the most contentious GOP battles of the 2026 cycle.
Julia Letlow Trump Endorsement: Shaking the 2026 Senate Race
Rep. Julia Letlow, who has served in Congress since 2021, announced her candidacy on Tuesday in Baton Rouge. Her entrance follows a forceful nudge from Trump, who posted "RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!" on Truth Social over the weekend. The move is a massive blow to Bill Cassidy, a senator who has been in the former president's crosshairs since voting to convict him during the 2021 impeachment trial.
In a state that Trump carried by 22 points in 2024, his endorsement carries immense weight. "It's an honor to share with you today that I’m officially announcing my candidacy," Letlow told attendees at a business event. Cassidy, seeking a third term, responded by acknowledging Letlow's call but remained firm, stating, "I will continue to do a good job when I win re-election."
Establishment Loyalty vs. MAGA Momentum
The primary creates a strategic headache for Senate GOP leadership. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. John Barrasso have both backed Cassidy, with Thune reportedly urging Trump to stay neutral. However, Trump's preemptive strike has upended those efforts, forcing the party to navigate a potentially bruising intra-party war.
Letlow isn't just a Trump favorite; she's a close ally of Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Her deep ties to the House leadership and her compelling personal history—succeeding her late husband in office—make her a formidable opponent for the establishment-aligned Cassidy.
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