Trump-backed Julia Letlow leads Louisiana Senate runoff against John Fleming

Rep. Julia Letlow, who secured 45% of the vote in the May 16 primary, will face state Treasurer John Fleming, who earned 28%, in the Louisiana Republican Senate runoff on Saturday. Both candidates are vying to replace Sen. Bill Cassidy, who finished third with 25% and was eliminated after voting to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial. Letlow’s campaign is buoyed by a recent endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who called her a “fearless champion” during a tele-rally and praised her support for the SAVE America Act. Letlow pledged to back Trump’s “America First” agenda and positioned the race as a choice between a “real conservative fighter” and a “career politician.”

Fleming, a former congressman and deputy chief of staff in the Trump administration, argues that he is the more conservative candidate, criticizing Letlow’s past support for diversity, equity and inclusion policies. He told NBC News that the primary’s focus on defeating Cassidy shifted voter attention, and now “people are actually looking at the candidates.” Fleming said he would consider eliminating the filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, though he expressed concern about future Democratic control of the Senate.

Louisiana GOP strategists note that low turnout could tighten the race. Lionel Rainey III said the contest could be “much, much closer than anybody expects,” while James Hartman said Trump’s endorsement “inoculated” Letlow against accusations of liberalism. State Governor Jeff Landry and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise have also endorsed Letlow. A recent controversy involved an AI-generated deepfake video of Letlow, which her opponent’s supporter, Rep. Clay Higgins, condemned.

The runoff will determine which candidate advances to the general election for the U.S. Senate seat from Louisiana.