
Congresswoman Julia Letlow (R)
The Associated Press is reporting that President Trump and Governor Jeff Landry have discussed Congresswoman Julia Letlow challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s Republican primary. Cassidy is seeking a third term, but ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy’s vote in 2021 to convict Trump in his impeachment trial still has many Republicans upset.
“The concern, among Republicans, is how reliable of a Republican is Senator Cassidy? Is he conservative or Republican enough for this state?” Stockley said.
A spokesperson for the Cassidy Senate campaign says Senator Cassidy delivers conservative results for the people of Louisiana and he works hard to support the President’s agenda.
Letlow has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2021 and already has a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. She’s well respected among the Louisiana Congressional delegation and Republicans. But Stockley says it’s not easy to defeat an incumbent U.S. Senator.
“I don’t want to say that Representative Letlow has no chance. Anybody who runs has a chance. But it will be a very, very tough election if that is what she chooses to do,” Stockley said.
Cassidy is already well-funded. Last month, Louisiana’s senior senator announced he has $7.5 million dollars in campaign donations.
Stockley says he’s not surprised President Trump is getting involved in Louisiana’s 2026 U.S. Senate race, especially considering Cassidy voted to convict Trump in 2021. And Cassidy had concerns about the President’s pick for U.S. Health Secretary, before eventually voting to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“President Trump has done this in the past. He has not been afraid to intervene in elections where he perceives a Republican to be less than loyal to him, Stockley said.
Cassidy is already facing one well-known challenger, former Congressman and now State Treasurer John Fleming.
Letlow’s office has not commented on the rumors of her possibly running for U.S. Senate.
Comments