{"id":2619837,"date":"2026-06-27T07:50:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T11:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-backed-letlow-takes-on-fleming-in-louisiana-senate-runoff\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T07:51:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T11:51:18","slug":"trump-backed-letlow-takes-on-fleming-in-louisiana-senate-runoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-backed-letlow-takes-on-fleming-in-louisiana-senate-runoff\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump-backed Letlow takes on Fleming in Louisiana Senate runoff"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-backed-letlow-takes-on-fleming-in-louisiana-senate-runoff%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2619837&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The upcoming Louisiana Senate runoff features Rep. Julia Letlow, endorsed by Trump, against state Treasurer John Fleming. Letlow,who secured nearly 45% of the primary vote,has momentum and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-biden-freezes-during-comments-on-shutdown\/\" title=\"VIDEO: Biden Stalls During Shutdown Remarks\">strong support network<\/a>,including several senator endorsements and backing from President Trump,who praised her as a &#8220;strong,America First conservative.&#8221; Fleming, although optimistic about polls showing him slightly ahead, faces a competitive race in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-seek-to-turn-deep-red-mississippi-blue-by-flipping-governors-seat\/\" title=\"Democrats Seek to Turn Deep-Red Mississippi Blue by Flipping Governor\u2019s Seat\">deeply red state<\/a> where the general election is largely seen as secure for the Republican winner. The race is significant for shaping the future of the Senate Republican Conference and testing Trump&#8217;s influence, especially as Cassidy, a Republican incumbent defeated in the primary, faced criticism for his impeachment vote and Trump\u2019s backing of other challengers. Despite internal GOP neutrality, Letlow&#8217;s campaign benefits from Trump\u2019s endorsement and her alignment with his policies, contrasting with Cassidy\u2019s recent contentious relations with the former president. The outcome of this runoff may influence midterm dynamics and GOP control in the Senate.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the country\u2019s most contentious Republican primaries reaches its dramatic conclusion on Saturday as Trump-endorsed Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4425255\/julia-letlow-trump-launches-senate-challenge-bill-cassidy\/\">Julia Letlow<\/a> (R-LA) takes on state Treasurer <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4424694\/bill-cassidy-challenger-trump-preferred-gop-senate-candidate\/\">John Fleming<\/a> in the Louisiana Senate runoff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4571020\/cassidy-loses-reelection-campaign\/\">Bill Cassidy<\/a> (R-LA), Senate leadership\u2019s preferred candidate, won\u2019t be on the ballot after placing third in the initial May primary.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4627369\/schumer-wont-survive-a-primary-against-a-dsa-candidate-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Schumer won\u2019t \u2018survive\u2019 a primary against a DSA candidate: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4624001\/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-2028-dsa-new-york\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez\u2019s 2028 options grow after socialist wins in New York<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4625765\/tom-kean-fundraiser-congress-return\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Tom Kean to hold fundraiser same day he returns to Congress after three-month hiatus<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two-way contest is now Letlow\u2019s to lose after she cruised to a double-digit first-place victory last month, with nearly 45% of the vote to Fleming\u2019s roughly 28%. Cassidy won under 25%.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The contest won\u2019t play into the broader midterm battle for control of the GOP-led chamber, where Democrats need to flip four seats to regain control. The victor is all but certain to win the November general election against the Democratic nominee in the deeply red state. Two Democrats, farmer Jamie Davis and entrepreneur Gary Crockett, also face a primary runoff on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race will help set the course for the Senate Republican Conference next year and further test President Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement record that, for the most part, has gone his way this cycle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While conservative, Letlow is backed by more establishment figures than Fleming, a former congressman and a 2015 founder of the House Freedom Caucus. He\u2019s a staunch conservative who, although snubbed of an endorsement from Trump, remains closely aligned with the president and served in his first administration.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fraud-alert-analysis-of-3000-counties-reveals-joe-biden-received-5-6-more-votes-in-counties-using-dominion-voting-machines\/\" title=\"FRAUD ALERT: Analysis of 3,000 Counties Reveals Joe Biden Received 5.6% More ...s in Counties Using Dominion Voting Machines\">recent video posted<\/a> by Letlow featuring Trump, the president urged Louisiana Republicans to \u201cget out and vote, vote, vote\u201d for the fourth-term congresswoman.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe\u2019s a strong, America First conservative who has stood with me from the very, very beginning, and she\u2019s been tested at the highest level, the most difficult level, and she\u2019s always performed, and she is something very special,\u201d Trump said, adding she was a \u201cpivotal vote\u201d in Congress to help accomplish his immigration enforcement agenda.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Letlow posted on the eve of the election that, \u201cTogether, we<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ky-judge-temporarily-blocks-near-total-abortion-ban\/\" title=\"Ky. judge temporarily blocks near total abortion ban\">\u2019ll continue fighting<\/a> to keep the border secure, unleash American energy, protect our freedoms, and put Louisiana first.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fleming expressed optimism in a text to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, citing a recent internal poll sponsored by his campaign, which showed him leading Letlow by 5 percentage points. However, other recent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/polls\/louisiana-us-senate-election-polls-2026.html?eafs_enabled=false\">independent surveys<\/a> show Letlow as the favorite.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite Trump\u2019s preference, Senate Republican leadership is neutral in the runoff. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and the Senate GOP\u2019s campaign arm have not sided with Letlow or Fleming after vehemently fighting for Cassidy\u2019s reelection, even as he faced the wrath of Trump for voting to convict the president in his impeachment trial after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">From l-r: U.S. Senate candidate, current Louisiana treasurer and former U.S. Representative (R-La.) John Fleming, speaks at a Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon in Baton Rouge, La., Tuesday, May 12, 2026, and U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., speaks to supporters during an election night watch party Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP photos\/Gerald Herbert\/Matthew Hinton)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/06\/localimages\/image-collage-pbm5bybwq-1782498249833<\/a>.jpg?1782490734&#038;w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;682&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From l-r: U.S. Senate candidate, current Louisiana treasurer and former U.S. Representative (R-La.) John Fleming, speaks at a Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon in Baton Rouge, La., Tuesday, May 12, 2026, and U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., speaks to supporters during an election night watch party Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP photos\/Gerald Herbert\/Matthew Hinton)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, Letlow racked up several endorsements from sitting senators following the initial primary, including Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Jim Banks (R-IN), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). She is also supported by fellow Louisiana House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA).<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cassidy\u2019s defeat in the May primary made him one of several Republican incumbents this year to be on the losing end of Trump-endorsed challengers. His power in the Senate atop the chamber\u2019s health committee and bipartisan respect as an earnest lawmaker proved inadequate to overcome his impeachment vote and Trump\u2019s influence among Louisiana Republican voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4573703\/bill-cassidy-no-regrets-after-primary-loss\/\">AN UNBURDENED BILL CASSIDY DOESN\u2019T REGRET TRUMP IMPEACHMENT VOTE AFTER PRIMARY LOSS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cassidy\u2019s tensions with Trump came to a head this week when the two engaged in a tense <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4623552\/inside-trump-explosive-meeting-senate-republicans\/\">shouting match during a closed-door Senate GOP lunch<\/a> about the senator\u2019s opposition to the Iran war.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s the Irish in me,\u201d Cassidy later told reporters, acknowledging the spat. \u201cBut I again matched his tone and his volume, and it went back and forth.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Louisiana GOP runoff: Letlow faces Fleming after primary<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2619838,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-collage-pbm5bybwq-1782498249833.jpg?1782490734&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6100,5894,9062,3740,3634],"class_list":["post-2619837","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-louisiana","tag-politics","tag-runoff","tag-senate","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-collage-pbm5bybwq-1782498249833.jpg?1782490734&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619837","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2619837"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619837\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2619841,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619837\/revisions\/2619841"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2619838"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2619837"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2619837"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2619837"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}