Republican senator who voted to convict Trump battles for re-election
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- Republican Senator Bill Cassidy faces a tough primary challenge from Trump-backed US Representative Julia Letlow in Louisiana, testing Trump's influence over the GOP.
- Cassidy, one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial, is fighting for political survival despite emphasizing his legislative cooperation with the former president.
- Trump has actively campaigned against Cassidy, labeling him a "sleazebag" and endorsing Letlow, who accuses Cassidy of disloyalty to the Republican Party.
- If no candidate wins a majority in Saturday's primary, the top two will proceed to a runoff election in late June.
- Letlow previously won a special election for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District following the death of her husband, a newly elected representative.