Cassidy Loses Senate Primary in Louisiana, as Trump Vanquishes G.O.P. Foe

Key Points:

• Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana lost the Republican primary, ending his bid for a third term after President Trump targeted him for voting to convict Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial.
• Trump-backed candidate Representative Julia Letlow led the primary with about 45% of the vote, while John Fleming secured second place with around 28%, both advancing to a June 27 runoff.
• Cassidy finished third with approximately 25% of the vote, failing to advance amid his clashes with pro-Trump factions and his vote to remove Trump for inciting insurrection.
• Trump celebrated Cassidy’s defeat on social media, framing it as retribution for Cassidy’s perceived disloyalty and signaling the strength of Trump’s influence within the Republican Party.
• Cassidy’s loss is part of a broader pattern of Trump-backed efforts to unseat Republicans who have opposed him, including recent challenges in Indiana and an upcoming race against Representative Thomas Massie in Kentucky.