Republican Julie Emerson ends Senate bid as Trump backs Julia Letlow against Sen Bill Cassidy

WASHINGTON, DC: Louisiana state Rep Julie Emerson announced on Thursday, January 22, that she was ending her campaign for the US Senate following the entry of a Trump-backed candidate into the Republican primary. Emerson cited President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Rep Julia Letlow as a decisive factor in her decision. 

The move reshaped the Republican contest to challenge incumbent Sen Bill Cassidy, who is seeking re-election. Several Republicans remained in the race as the primary field narrowed.

Julie Emerson exits senate race citing Trump endorsement 

Emerson said that she decided to withdraw after concluding that her chances had diminished with Letlow’s entry into the race and Trump’s backing.

In a statement released on Thursday, Emerson said that she respected the president’s decision and chose to step aside rather than continue a divided primary challenge.

“With Congresswoman Letlow's entrance into the race, the path to victory that was visible a couple of months ago has diminished,” Emerson said. “I support President Trump and respect his decision to endorse Julia Letlow to defeat Bill Cassidy. Because of this, I'm choosing to end my campaign now.”

Emerson, a Republican lawmaker in the Louisiana House of Representatives, had been positioning herself as a conservative challenger to Cassidy, who had served in the Senate since 2015.

Cassidy drew criticism from Trump and his allies after voting to convict the former president during the Senate impeachment trial that followed the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Although the vote occurred after Trump had left office and ultimately fell short of the threshold required for conviction, it remained a focal point in GOP primary challenges against Cassidy.

Trump publicly pledged his support for Letlow, signaling his intention to influence the race. Emerson’s exit narrowed the field but did not clear it entirely, as Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming and state Sen Blake Miguez are also running in the Republican primary.

Cassidy had not faced a serious primary challenge since his impeachment vote, but Trump’s endorsement has altered the dynamics of the contest, increasing attention on the race both within Louisiana and nationally.

Trump-backed Julia Letlow enters Louisiana Senate race

GOP Representative Julia Letlow entered Louisiana’s US Senate race on Tuesday, launching a primary challenge against incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy after receiving direct encouragement from Trump.

Her move reshaped the Republican contest, setting up a showdown between a Trump-backed House member and a three-term senator who has previously broken with the former president. 

Trump urged Letlow to run in a Truth Social post on Saturday, promising an immediate endorsement if she entered the race, calling her a “TOTAL WINNER!” and a “Great Star.”

“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, adding, “Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!” 

Letlow acted quickly, formally announcing her candidacy 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 during the event.