Louisiana Republicans head to Senate primary runoff as Trump-backed Julia Letlow faces competitive race

Jun 26, 2026

Louisiana Republicans Julia Letlow and John Fleming face a highly competitive U.S. Senate primary runoff on June 27, 2026, after eliminating incumbent Bill Cassidy. Letlow holds Donald Trump's endorsement, while Fleming has gained momentum by campaigning against local carbon capture projects and accusing Governor Jeff Landry of political interference. The race has turned increasingly hostile with attack ads targeting Fleming's age, highlighting deep divisions within the state's Republican establishment.

Louisiana Senate GOP runoff

▪In the May 16, 2026, primary, Julia Letlow received 45% of the vote, John Fleming received 28%, and incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy received 25%, which eliminated Cassidy from the runoff.
▪Republican Representative Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming are competing in a primary runoff election on June 27, 2026, for Louisiana's open U.S. Senate seat.
▪A BDPC survey conducted for lobbyist Alton Ashy showed Julia Letlow holding a narrow 40% to 38% lead over John Fleming.
▪A JMC Analytics internal poll released by John Fleming on June 23, 2026, showed Fleming leading Julia Letlow 45% to 40% in the runoff race.

Trump endorsement influence

▪Donald Trump endorsed Julia Letlow in January 2026 and reissued his endorsement several times, including in mid-June 2026, but has not endorsed John Fleming.
▪John Fleming claimed that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry maneuvered behind the scenes to secure Donald Trump's endorsement for Julia Letlow, calling it election interference.

Carbon capture policy dispute

▪John Fleming opposes local carbon capture projects, accusing Julia Letlow and Governor Jeff Landry of attempting to turn Louisiana into a toxic dump of carbon dioxide.
▪Julia Letlow stated she believes carbon capture projects should not proceed without community finance and safety, and she praised Governor Jeff Landry's moratorium on the projects.

Campaign attack advertisements

▪A super PAC connected to Governor Jeff Landry launched an advertisement claiming John Fleming would be the oldest first-term senator ever sworn in, serving in his 80s.
▪John Fleming, who turns 75 in July 2026, would not break the record for oldest first-term senator, as Democratic Senator Peter Welch of Vermont was older when he began serving in 2023.

Kansas gubernatorial primary

▪The School Freedom Fund advertisement features 2012 photographs of Salvadoran gang members to attack Vicki Schmidt for voting to grant in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.
▪The School Freedom Fund, an affiliate of the Club for Growth, is spending $2 million on television advertisements attacking Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

Arizona congressional primary

▪A NextGen Polling survey showed Jay Feely leading former state Representative Joseph Chaplik 25% to 23% ahead of the July 21, 2026, primary election.
▪Leading the Future, an AI industry-funded political network, is spending $600,000 on advertisements supporting former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely in Arizona's 1st Congressional District Republican primary.