Trump urges Rep Julia Letlow to challenge Sen Bill Cassidy in Louisiana GOP Senate race

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Saturday, January 17, publicly encouraged Rep Julia Letlow, R-La, to challenge Sen Bill Cassidy, R-La, in the state’s upcoming Republican Senate primary. In a post on Truth Social, Trump offered his endorsement should Letlow decide to enter the race.

The move placed Trump at odds with a sitting Republican senator and introduced new uncertainty into Louisiana’s Senate contest. Cassidy later reaffirmed his intention to seek reelection.

Trump endorses potential Julia Letlow challenge to Bill Cassidy

Trump issued his encouragement in a Truth Social post on Saturday evening, writing that Rep Julia Letlow would have his full backing if she entered the race. “Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!” Trump wrote.

Letlow responded later on social media, saying that she was “honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and trust.”

She added, “My mission is clear: to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger.”

In a separate post, she emphasized conservative leadership, writing, “This United States Senate seat belongs to the people of Louisiana, because we deserve conservative leadership that will not waver.”

Letlow has not formally declared her candidacy. Asked earlier this week by NBC News whether she had decided to run, she said, “I haven’t decided,” and declined to answer follow-up questions, including whether she sought Trump’s endorsement before entering the race.

According to two Republican sources familiar with the matter, Letlow had told people close to her that she would only run if Trump committed to endorsing her.

Cassidy responded publicly after Trump’s post, stating that he would continue his reelection campaign.

“I’m proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana,” Cassidy wrote. “If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win.”

Cassidy also said earlier in the week that “senior people” in the Trump administration had indicated that the president would not endorse a challenger.

“I’m running for re-election. That’s all I can say,” Cassidy said. Letlow would need to file paperwork by February 13 to enter the Senate race.

Broader political context and Senate implications

Trump’s endorsement came against the backdrop of broader Republican maneuvering ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, when control of the Senate will again be contested.

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority, including independents who caucus with Democrats. Thirty-five Senate seats will be on the ballot, including special elections in Ohio and Florida following the departures of JD Vance and Marco Rubio.

Cassidy has had a complicated relationship with Trump.

He voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial and has been critical of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, though he voted to confirm Kennedy and has jurisdiction over health policy as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Cassidy has not yet scheduled an oversight hearing with Kennedy despite previous commitments from the secretary to appear regularly.

According to individuals familiar with internal discussions, Trump spoke with Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota on Friday and indicated that he was likely to endorse Letlow.

Thune reportedly urged Trump to support Cassidy, citing the senator’s role in advancing Republican priorities and upcoming health care legislation.