Trump's Influence on GOP Tested in Louisiana Senate Runoff
WHO:
CNN - Rep. Julia Letlow, state Treasurer John Fleming, Sen. Bill Cassidy, President Donald Trump, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, Indiana state senators, Jamie Davis, Gary Crockett, Nick Albares.
CBS News Politics - Two candidates in the Louisiana GOP Senate runoff.
Fox News - Rep. Julia Letlow, state Treasurer John Fleming.
ABC News US - President Donald Trump's choice for U.S. Senate in Louisiana.
WHAT:
CNN - Trump held a telephone rally for Letlow, stating, "I have seen Letlow tested at the highest level" and called her "a fearless champion for the people of your great state."
CNN - Trump praised Letlow's vote for his tax and spending measure last year and her support for his immigration enforcement efforts, saying, "She’s fantastic. She’s going to do a great job. She’s a warrior."
CNN - Letlow is a 45-year-old former university administrator who was first elected to Congress in 2021 after winning a special election to fill a vacancy created by her husband Luke Letlow's death from Covid-19 in December 2020.
CNN - Fleming, 74, served in several roles in the Trump administration, ending as assistant to the president for planning and implementation.
CNN - Letlow earned nearly 45% of the votes in the primary, Fleming received 28%, and Cassidy got almost 25%.
CNN - The runoff is to determine the next senator in Louisiana.
CNN - Trump endorsed Letlow in the runoff.
CNN - Democrats are also holding a runoff for their Senate nominee with Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett as finalists.
CBS News Politics - Voting is taking place in the Republican Senate runoff.
Fox News - The runoff tests Trump's endorsement power.
ABC News US - Letlow is seeking to secure the GOP nomination.
WHERE:
CNN - Louisiana, specifically referencing Orleans, East Baton Rouge, and Jefferson parishes.
CBS News Politics - Louisiana.
Fox News - Louisiana.
ABC News US - Louisiana.
WHEN:
CNN - The primary was held on May 16.
CNN - The runoff election is scheduled for Saturday.
CNN - The general election for the winner of the runoff will be in November.
WHY:
CNN - The runoff is seen as a continuation of Trump's efforts to replace Republicans who opposed him, following Cassidy's ousting after he voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial.
CNN - The runoff follows Trump's opposition to Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial.
CNN - The election is a test of Trump's influence over the Republican Party.
HOW:
CNN - This year's Louisiana primaries are the first since the state eliminated its previous "jungle primary" system, allowing registered party voters to participate only in their party's primary and runoff.
CNN - Letlow campaigned on her support for Trump's tax and spending measures, immigration enforcement, and election reforms.
CNN - Fleming's campaign highlights his experience in the Trump administration and his support for a "pro-Trump agenda."
(UPDATED June 27, 2026 13:20 UTC)
Trump held a telephone rally for Letlow, praising her as "a fearless champion for the people of your great state" and highlighting her support for his tax and spending measure as well as immigration enforcement efforts. Letlow, a 45-year-old former university administrator, first entered Congress in 2021 after winning a special election to fill the vacancy left by her husband's death from Covid-19. The upcoming runoff is viewed as part of Trump's strategy to replace Republicans who opposed him, following Cassidy's ousting after he voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial.
--
(UPDATED June 27, 2026 11:23 UTC)
In Louisiana, Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming are competing in a Republican Senate runoff, with Letlow having earned nearly 45% of the votes in the primary and receiving Trump's endorsement. The runoff, which takes place on Saturday, is crucial as it tests Trump's influence within the Republican Party, especially following his opposition to Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial. Meanwhile, Democrats are also holding a runoff for their Senate nominee, with Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett as the finalists, and the general election for the winner of the runoff is set for November.