Former President Donald Trump has thrown a political grenade into Louisiana's upcoming Senate race, publicly encouraging a primary challenge against incumbent Republican Senator Bill Cassidy. This move comes despite Cassidy's concerted efforts to mend fences with Trump following his vote to convict the former president during the impeachment trial after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
A Complete and Total Endorsement
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump explicitly urged U.S. Representative Julia Letlow to run for Cassidy's seat. "Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!" Trump wrote. The three-term congresswoman, who represents Louisiana's 5th district, responded by saying she was "honored" by the endorsement but has not yet formally announced a Senate campaign.
According to recent reports from NBC News, Letlow had indicated that support from Trump would be a decisive factor in her decision to enter the February primary. In a statement, Letlow framed a potential run around a mission to ensure a "safer and stronger" nation for future generations. "This United States Senate seat belongs to the people of Louisiana, because we deserve conservative leadership that will not waver," she stated.
Cassidy's Rocky Road with Trump
Senator Cassidy, a medical doctor, has been working to repair his relationship with Trump and the party's base since his impeachment vote. His efforts included providing a pivotal vote last year to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Trump's health secretary, a controversial appointment given Kennedy's well-known opposition to established vaccine science.
As chairman of the Senate's health committee, which oversees Kennedy's department, Cassidy has faced criticism for not pushing back against the health secretary's sweeping changes to federal vaccine guidelines. These changes have caused significant concern among public health experts. Despite the political headwinds, Cassidy vowed to win re-election. "I'm proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana," Cassidy said. "If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win."
Broader Implications for Senate Republicans
Trump's endorsement creates another complication for Senate Republican leaders, including Majority Leader John Thune. Their strategy to maintain control of the Senate in the next election relies on avoiding costly and divisive primary battles across the country. Notably, Thune appeared alongside Cassidy at an event in Baton Rouge just one day before Trump's social media post, promoting GOP tax cuts and showcasing a united front.
The endorsement signals that loyalty to Trump remains a paramount litmus test within the party, potentially setting the stage for a bitter and expensive intra-party fight in Louisiana. The outcome will be closely watched as a barometer of Trump's ongoing influence over the Republican primary process and the party's direction.
