Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his bid for renomination in the state's primary election Saturday, falling to two challengers backed by President Donald Trump after Cassidy's vote to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial five years ago. Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow and Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming advanced to a runoff, marking the first time in nearly a decade that a GOP senator has lost renomination.
Cassidy had tried to focus his campaign on the present and future, highlighting legislation he helped pass that Trump signed into law. But the president's influence proved decisive, as both challengers repeatedly raised Cassidy's impeachment vote. Trump himself called out the senator's "disloyalty" in a social media post after the results came in, declaring that Cassidy's political career is "OVER!"
In his concession speech, Cassidy did not mention Trump by name but delivered pointed remarks about leadership and the Constitution. "Our country is not about one individual. It is about the welfare of all Americans and it is about our Constitution," Cassidy said. He added that anyone who attempts to control others through power "is not qualified to be a leader."
The outcome underscores Trump's continued dominance within the Republican Party. Cassidy became the latest example of a lawmaker who crossed Trump facing consequences at the ballot box, even after years of trying to mend fences. Trump had backed Cassidy in his previous reelection but viewed the impeachment vote as a personal betrayal.
Letlow, a member of Congress, and Fleming, a former congressman who served in the Trump White House, both positioned themselves as stronger Trump allies. Fleming emphasized his credentials as the "true pro-Trump candidate" during the primary. Trump described both as "two great people" in a post as voting began Saturday morning.
Letlow emerged as the frontrunner heading into the runoff, though Fleming showed resilience by finishing ahead of expectations. In her speech Saturday night, Letlow pledged to campaign across the state again. Trump later wrote that Letlow "will make a brilliant Senator for the Great People of Louisiana" after handling additional business.
Fleming issued a statement Sunday saying he would "embrace this challenge enthusiastically." He added that the runoff starts immediately and that he feels energized for the next phase.
Cassidy's defeat may serve as a signal to other Republican senators who have clashed with Trump. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas faces a similar situation in his May 26 runoff against Attorney General Ken Paxton, though Trump has not intervened in that race. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis chose not to seek reelection rather than face a Trump-backed primary challenge.
Trump quickly linked Cassidy's loss to his ongoing effort against Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, calling Massie "an even bigger insult to our Nation" in a Truth Social post Sunday morning and endorsing Massie's primary opponent, Ed Gallrein.
Cassidy expressed no regrets in defeat, noting that participating in democracy sometimes does not yield the desired result. He also addressed attacks he faced online, saying insults only matter if they come from people of character and integrity, and that such people do not spend time attacking others on the internet.
The senator further reflected on democratic norms, stating that one should not "pout, you don't whine, you don't claim that the election was stolen" but instead thank voters for the opportunity to serve. These comments appeared to reference Trump's repeated claims about the 2020 election.
With Cassidy out, attention now turns to the runoff between Letlow and Fleming and what it reveals about preferences among Trump supporters in Louisiana. Letlow starts with an edge, but Fleming's performance suggests a competitive race ahead.