Julia Letlow launches Louisiana Senate bid with Trump's backing against Bill Cassidy
WASHINGTON, DC: GOP Representative Julia Letlow entered Louisiana’s US Senate race on Tuesday, January 20, launching a primary challenge against incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy after receiving direct encouragement from President Donald Trump.
The move reshaped the state’s Republican contest, setting up a clash between a Trump-backed House member and a three-term senator who has broken with the president in the past. Trump urged Letlow to run in a Truth Social post on Saturday, promising an immediate endorsement if she entered the race.
Julia Letlow announces candidacy at business breakfast event
Today, I am announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate to ensure the nation we leave our children is safer and stronger.
— Julia B Letlow, Ph.D. (@jbletlow) January 20, 2026
Louisiana deserves a conservative Senator who will not waver. I am honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and trust.
Let’s Geaux! pic.twitter.com/4Xm7hzdro7
Letlow acted quickly on the president’s call. On Tuesday morning, she formally announced her bid at a breakfast hosted by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report.
“It’s an honor to share with you, after the endorsement and encouragement from the president of the United States, Donald Trump, that I will officially be announcing my candidacy for the US Senate,” Letlow said.
Letlow has represented Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District since 2021, winning a special election following the death of her husband from COVID-19 complications. She is the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Louisiana.
Incumbent remains confident despite primary challenge
Congresswoman Letlow called me this morning to say she was running. She said she respected me and that I had done a good job. I will continue to do a good job when I win re-election. I am a conservative who wakes up every morning thinking about how to make Louisiana and the…
— Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@BillCassidy) January 20, 2026
Cassidy confirmed that Letlow personally called him Tuesday morning to inform him of her decision. In a statement, the senator described the exchange as respectful.
“She said she respected me and that I had done a good job,” Cassidy said.
The 68-year-old incumbent projected confidence in the face of the challenge. “I will continue to do a good job when I win re-election,” he added. “I am a conservative who wakes up every morning thinking about how to make Louisiana and the United States a better place to live.”
Trump calls Julia Letlow a ‘total winner’
🚨 IT’S OFFICIAL: President Trump is PRIMARY challenging Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana, endorsing Julia Letlow for 2026
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 18, 2026
This is huge! MAGA pickup! 🇺🇸
“Highly Respected America First Congresswoman, Julia Letlow, of the wonderful State of Louisiana, is a Great Star, has been… pic.twitter.com/MTvbhbKshX
Letlow’s entry followed an emphatic post from Trump over the weekend. Calling her a “TOTAL WINNER!” and a “Great Star,” the president signaled his preference in the race.
“A Proud Mother of two children, Julia is a wonderful person, has ALWAYS delivered for Louisiana, and would continue doing so in the United States Senate,” Trump wrote. He closed with a directive: “Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!”
Past votes cause friction with leadership
Letlow’s challenge complicates plans for Senate Republican leadership. Majority Leader John Thune had appeared alongside Cassidy on the campaign trail just days before Trump’s post.
Cassidy had occasionally diverged from party leadership, most notably as one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump during the 2021 impeachment trial.
More recently, the physician had clashed with the administration over Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. While Cassidy cast the decisive vote to advance Kennedy’s nomination in February, he has since broken with the department on health policy disputes.
