President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow of Louisiana as a potential challenger to Sen. Bill Cassidy in the state’s 2026 U.S. Senate race. The endorsement signals Trump’s willingness to back a primary challenge against the incumbent Republican senator, intensifying an already brewing intraparty conflict.
[read more]
Letlow entered politics after the death of her husband, Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020 but died from COVID-19 complications before taking office. She won a special election in March 2021, becoming the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in the U.S. House, and has since been re-elected. During her tenure, she has served on several key committees and aligned herself closely with Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Trump praised Letlow in a Truth Social post, calling her a “Highly Respected America First Congresswoman” and a “TOTAL WINNER.” He said he was hearing she was considering a Senate run and highlighted her record on issues such as economic growth, energy, border security, and support for agriculture and Louisiana’s oil and gas industry. Trump concluded by offering his “Complete and Total Endorsement” should she enter the race.
Letlow responded by saying she was honored by Trump’s support and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing national priorities. While she has not formally declared her candidacy, her response and Trump’s endorsement have fueled expectations that an announcement could come soon.
Cassidy, a physician, has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and was re-elected in 2020. His career includes time in the Louisiana State Senate and the U.S. House, and he currently chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. His work has focused on health care, energy, and infrastructure, and he has already announced his intention to seek re-election.
Tensions between Cassidy and Trump date back to 2021, when Cassidy voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial. Trump later criticized him as disloyal, and other disagreements have followed, contributing to speculation about a primary challenge. With Louisiana’s jungle primary system allowing all candidates to compete on the same ballot, a potential Letlow-Cassidy showdown could lead to a high-stakes and closely watched race in 2026.[/read]