Louisiana GOP Senate runoff pits Letlow against Fleming for Cassidy's seat
Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming are competing in a Republican runoff election to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Bill Cassidy, who failed to advance from the primary.
Louisianans voted Saturday in a Republican runoff to determine who will succeed Sen. Bill Cassidy in the U.S. Senate. Rep. Julia Letlow, who led the March primary with more than 44% of the vote, faced state Treasurer John Fleming, who earned 28% in the same contest. Cassidy, the incumbent, placed third and did not qualify for the runoff.
President Donald Trump had earlier urged Letlow to run and publicly endorsed her, while also criticizing Cassidy. Letlow, 45, has served in the House since 2021, becoming the first Republican woman from Louisiana elected to Congress. Fleming, a former House member from 2009 to 2017, previously worked in the Trump administration.
The runoff winner is expected to have a strong advantage in the general election, as Louisiana has consistently supported Republican candidates in recent Senate races, with the last Democratic senator elected in 2008.