Louisiana will have a new senator next year after Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), saddled by his 2021 impeachment vote against President Donald Trump, lost his campaign for a third term on Saturday.In a dramatic fall from political grace, Cassidy placed third in a primary for the seat he’s held since 2015, disqualifying him from a runoff that will be held on June 27.Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), the Trump-backed candidate, placed first when the race was called shortly after 10:50 p.m., receiving 44.9% of the vote, while state Treasurer John Fleming placed second with 28.4%.
Under Louisiana law, a runoff for the top two finishers occurs when none of the candidates win an outright majority. Cassidy attracted just 24.6% support, making him the first incumbent senator to lose a primary race in almost a decade.
His defeat represents a major victory for Trump, who had personally encouraged Letlow to challenge Cassidy and offered her his endorsement in January.
That endorsement failed to clear the primary field – Fleming, a former deputy chief of staff during Trump’s first term, effectively divided the anti-Cassidy vote. But the president achieved his ultimate goal, ousting Cassidy over his perceived disloyalty.
