Thursday, January 22, 2026- Republican U.S. Representative Julia Letlow of Louisiana has officially launched a campaign to challenge incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy in the upcoming Republican Senate primary, buoyed by a high-profile endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Letlow announced her candidacy at a Baton Rouge event, framing her bid as a call for unwavering conservative leadership and aligning closely with Trump’s agenda on border security, law enforcement support, and other GOP priorities. Her announcement intensifies what was already shaping up to be a contentious intra‑party battle in Louisiana’s 2026 election cycle.
Trump’s endorsement comes after Letlow weighed a run, with the president publicly urging her to enter the race and offering his “complete and total endorsement.”
The move signals Trump’s continuing influence in Republican primaries and underscores tensions within the party, particularly toward members like Cassidy who have previously broken with Trump, including by voting to convict him during the second impeachment trial following the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Cassidy, who is seeking a third term, responded to Letlow’s announcement by affirming his commitment to serving Louisiana and highlighting his conservative record.
The race is set to be a high‑stakes test of Trump’s sway over Republican voters and could reshape GOP dynamics in a Senate majority contest. Letlow, elected to the House in a 2021 special election, has positioned herself as a staunch ally of Trump, while Cassidy navigates defending his record and broader support from establishment Republicans.
With the primary under Louisiana’s closed system, both candidates are vying for the party base’s favor as they head toward a potentially expensive and closely watched contest.
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