Trump's preferred candidate, Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow, defeated incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana's Republican primary runoff race, cementing the former president's influence over party nominations heading into 2024.
Letlow advanced alongside MAGA-aligned state Treasurer John Fleming to compete in a runoff election. Trump had endorsed Letlow early, signaling his intent to remove Cassidy, a moderate Republican who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial in 2021.
Cassidy's loss marks another scalp for Trump in his ongoing effort to purge the Senate of Republicans he deems insufficiently loyal. The Louisiana senator had carved out an independent streak, breaking with Trump on key votes and occasionally criticizing the former president publicly. His defeat sends a clear message to other Republicans: crossing Trump carries electoral consequences.
Letlow, a congresswoman since 2020, aligns more closely with Trump's populist positions and MAGA ideology. Fleming, the state treasurer, has similarly positioned himself as a Trump ally. Both candidates will compete in the runoff, with the winner facing Democrat Cleo Fields in the general election.
The primary result underscores Trump's dominance in Republican politics two years removed from the presidency. Despite his legal challenges and the January 6 investigations, Trump maintains extraordinary sway over candidate recruitment and primary dynamics. Vulnerable Republican senators have taken note. Several moderate GOP incumbents face similar challenges from Trump-backed primary opponents, forcing them to either court Trump's endorsement or prepare for brutal intraparty battles.
For Democrats, Cassidy's ouster presents a recruitment opportunity. A Republican senator in a deep red state switching parties, or the emergence of a competitive general election, could reshape Senate dynamics. However, Fields enters the runoff as an underdog in a state where Republicans hold significant structural advantages.
Letlow's victory