Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow locked up the Republican nomination on Saturday, defeating state Treasurer and former Rep. John Fleming in a primary runoff and putting herself on a path to becoming the first GOP woman to represent the state in the chamber.
Letlow, who had President Donald Trump’s endorsement, was leading Fleming 57 percent to 43 percent with more than 95 percent of votes in just before midnight, according to The Associated Press. She is heavily favored to win the general election against farmer Jamie Davis, who clinched the Democratic runoff Saturday over Navy veteran Gary Crockett, the AP reported.
The Republican contest once again affirmed the power of the Trump endorsement in GOP primaries: Letlow entered the race in January as Trump’s chosen candidate to oust Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy, who drew the president’s wrath for voting to convict him at his 2021 impeachment trial. Cassidy finished third in the first round of voting in May, behind Letlow and Fleming, and did not qualify for the runoff.
“Great News!!! Julia Letlow WON in Louisiana, beating conclusively a very strong and smart opponent,’’ Trump posted on his Truth Social platform Saturday after the race was called. “She will be a truly GREAT Senator!”
