U.S. President Donald Trump has had Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on his hit-list since he was one of three Republicans who voted for impeachment five years ago. Cassidy was soundly defeated in the Louisiana primary May 16, coming in third, and thus not even in a run-off. Trump immediately posted on Truth Social that Cassidy’s “disloyalty to the man who got him elected is now a part of legend, and it’s nice to see that his political career is OVER!”
Representative Julia Letlow, who has been in the House since 2021, was the president’s chosen candidate. She finished well ahead, drawing about 45% of the vote. John Fleming, the state treasurer and a former Trump administration official, edged out Mr. Cassidy to finish second, with about 28% of the vote. Cassidy, a gastroenterologist and strong proponent of vaccines who leads the Senate health committee, has also clashed with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. over vaccines, finished third with around 25% of the vote. Letlow and Fleming will hold a run-off.
