Sen. Bill Cassidy loses Louisiana Republican primary; Trump-backed Letlow advances to runoff

Cassidy's Stunning Defeat

Sen. Bill Cassidy, a two-term Louisiana Republican, has lost his bid for reelection after failing to finish in the top two spots in Saturday's primary election. Cassidy, a physician-turned-politician and chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, finished in third place with approximately 25% of the vote.

Runoff Setup

Rep. Julia Letlow, who had Trump's endorsement, came in first, while Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming secured second place. The top two finishers will advance to a June 27 runoff for Cassidy's seat.

Trump's Influence on Display

This marks a major victory for President Trump's revenge campaign against Republicans who voted to convict him. Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Trump publicly endorsed Letlow in January and repeatedly attacked Cassidy throughout the campaign, calling him "very disloyal."

Cassidy's Response

In his concession remarks, Cassidy pushed back against accusations of disloyalty, stating: "Our country is not about one individual. It is about the welfare of all Americans and it is about our Constitution." He appeared to critique Trump without naming him, adding that any leader who "attempts to control others through using the levels of power" is not qualified.

Campaign Context

Cassidy had initially seemed advantaged, with strong financial backing and a powerful committee chair position. However, he faced new tensions with the White House—his medical background and vaccine advocacy made him a target of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, particularly regarding Casey Means' nomination for Surgeon General, which Cassidy opposed.