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By Aliss Higham
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President Donald Trump has endorsed a Republican representative in Louisiana to challenge GOP Senator Bill Cassidy, who has vowed to fight for his place in the Senate.
Writing on Truth Social, the president threw his weight behind Julia Letlow, who currently represents Louisiana's 5th congressional district.
"I know Julia well, have seen her tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and she is a TOTAL WINNER!" Trump posted on Saturday. "Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!"
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Cassidy said he is still "proudly running for reelection" in the Senate despite Trump's endorsement of another Republican candidate. He has been a senator since 2015 and prior to that represented Louisiana's 6th congressional district.
"If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run, I am confident I will win," he posted on X on Saturday.
Newsweek contacted representatives for Cassidy via email outside of regular working hours for comment.
Why It Matters
Cassidy, who is pursuing his third Senate term, has been at odds with the president several times. He was among seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial following the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Cassidy, who is also a gastroenterologist, has clashed with the administration in recent months over Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership. He previously called for Trump to drop out of the 2024 election.
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What To Know
Describing Letlow as a "wonderful person," Trump said she would "work tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Support our Amazing Farmers and Fishermen, Champion Louisiana Oil & Gas, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment."
Letlow said she was "honored" to have the president's "endorsement and trust" following Trump's post.
Letlow entered the House in March 2021 following the death of her husband, Luke Letlow, who died from coronavirus in December 2020. She later secured a full two-year term in 2022 and was reelected in 2024.
While Cassidy has at times disagreed with the president, he has also been supportive of other Republican policies. Late last year, the senator, the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, advanced a strategy to tackle health care costs that Trump had promoted. As Democrats pressed to extend health insurance tax credits, Cassidy proposed directing funds straight into health savings accounts, a move the president has expressed interest in.
What People Are Saying
Republican Representative Julia Letlow said on X: "I’m honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and trust. My mission is clear: to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger. This United States Senate seat belongs to the people of Louisiana, because we deserve conservative leadership that will not waver."
Louisiana GOP Senator Bill Cassidy said: "I'm proudly running for reelection as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana. If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run, I am confident I will win."
What Happens Next
Letlow has not officially declared her run for the Senate seat. She would have to file to run by February 13.
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