Trump endorses Julia Letlow as possible primary challenger to Sen. Bill Cassidy

President Trump on Saturday endorsed Representative Julia Letlow of Louisiana as a potential Republican primary challenger to Senator Bill Cassidy, also of Louisiana, in a move posted on Truth Social that surprised some allies and threatened to strain relations with Senate Republicans.

Mr. Cassidy has at times criticized Mr. Trump and voted to convict him in his second impeachment trial, the report said. Mr. Trump wrote “RUN JULIA RUN!!!” and said “Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement.” He also spoke with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who urged him to support Mr.

Cassidy and warned of potential consequences for future votes and for a major health care bill under Mr. Cassidy’s committee jurisdiction, according to a person briefed on the conversation. Senator Cassidy replied that he is “proudly running for re-election” and said he was confident he would win if Ms.

Letlow ran. Ms. Letlow, who won a House special election in 2021 after her husband’s death, had not formally entered the Senate race. She said on social media that she was honored by the endorsement and called the seat one “that belongs to the people of Louisiana,” adding that the state “deserve[s] conservative leadership that will not waver.” The timing of the public endorsement surprised her, the article said; she had previously told people she would not enter the race without Mr.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Julia Letlow, Bill Cassidy, John Thune, Louisiana