Congresswoman Julia Letlow, backed by Trump, won the second round of the Louisiana Republican Senate primary. Letlow defeated John Fleming, a former House member and senior White House official during Trump's first term, and is considered the favorite against the Democratic candidate in the November special election.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Letlow managed to secure the support of a majority of Republican voters after incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy, whom Trump had targeted, lost his primary six weeks ago. Cassidy had voted against Trump in the second impeachment trial in 2021.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social, "Julia Letlow clearly defeated a very strong and smart opponent in Louisiana. She will be a great senator."
Cassidy, in a post-election speech, made a veiled criticism of Trump, saying, "When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn't go your way. But you don't pout, you don't whine, you don't claim the election was stolen, you don't make excuses."
Letlow entered the House in 2021 after her husband, Luke Letlow, died five days before taking office despite winning the election. Letlow, who also has the support of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a close Trump ally, highlighted Trump's endorsement throughout her campaign.
Fleming had served eight years in Congress and later worked as Deputy White House Chief of Staff during Trump's first term.
Letlow's opponent in the Democratic primary will be determined by the outcome of the runoff between farmer Jamie Davis and Navy veteran Gary Crockett.
Trump's endorsement record in primaries
Trump's endorsements have played a significant role in Republican primaries in recent months. While Trump-backed candidates succeeded in critical races in Indiana, Kentucky, and Texas, there were setbacks in Iowa and Georgia.
In Iowa, Randy Feenstra, whom Trump endorsed at the last minute, lost to Zach Lahn. In Georgia's gubernatorial primary, despite the joint endorsement of Trump and Governor Brian Kemp, Burt Jones was defeated by billionaire businessman Rick Jackson. However, in the same state, Trump-backed Mike Collins won the Senate primary.
In South Carolina, with Trump's last-minute endorsement of both Lieutenant Governor Pam Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson, Wilson won the election by a large margin. In New York, Trump-backed Anthony Constantino defeated the state party's candidate.
Trump described the Louisiana victory as "great news" on social media and highlighted the result, seen as part of his strategy to increase the number of his supporters in the Senate.
