Republican Ends Primary Challenge Against Cassidy Following Trump-Backed Candidate’s Entry

Louisiana state Rep. Julie Emerson has withdrawn from the U.S. Senate race following the entrance of Rep. Julia Letlow, who secured a key endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

“With Congresswoman Letlow’s entrance into the race, the path to victory that was visible a couple of months ago has diminished,” Emerson said in a statement Thursday. “I support President Trump and respect his decision to endorse Julia Letlow to defeat Bill Cassidy. Because of this, I’m choosing to end my campaign now.”

Emerson’s decision marks a significant shift in Louisiana’s increasingly competitive Republican primary, which has drawn considerable attention as multiple candidates seek to unseat incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy.

Cassidy, who has represented Louisiana in the U.S. Senate since 2015, became a target for primary challengers after he voted to convict Trump during the former president’s second impeachment trial in 2021. That vote, which came after Trump had already left office, has made Cassidy vulnerable among the state’s conservative base where Trump maintains strong support.

The race dynamics changed dramatically on Saturday when Trump announced his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Letlow on Truth Social, encouraging her to enter the race with the enthusiastic message: “RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!”

Letlow, who currently represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, officially launched her Senate campaign on Tuesday. “Today, I am announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate to ensure the nation we leave our children is safer and stronger,” Letlow wrote on social media. “Louisiana deserves a conservative Senator who will not waver. I am honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and trust.”

Political analysts note that Trump’s endorsement carries significant weight in Louisiana, where the former president remains highly popular among Republican voters. His backing of Letlow immediately transformed her into a frontrunner and altered the calculus for other candidates in the race.

Louisiana’s unique election system, which uses a jungle primary where all candidates compete regardless of party affiliation, means the race could potentially be decided in the primary if any candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate achieves a majority, the top two finishers advance to a runoff.

Despite Emerson’s withdrawal, the Republican field remains crowded. State Treasurer John Fleming, a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus during his previous tenure in Congress, entered the race earlier this year. State Senator Blake Miguez is also running, having bluntly stated his reason for challenging Cassidy is because the incumbent “sucks.”

For Cassidy, who has focused his Senate career on healthcare policy and infrastructure issues, the primary represents a significant test of whether Republican voters in deep-red Louisiana will prioritize Trump loyalty over his record of delivering for the state. As a physician before entering politics, Cassidy has been particularly involved in healthcare legislation.

Political observers suggest the Louisiana Senate race illustrates the ongoing influence Trump wields in Republican primaries nationwide. His endorsement has proven decisive in numerous contests, with candidates frequently seeking his backing as a crucial element for success in GOP primaries.

The Louisiana Senate election will take place in 2026, giving the remaining candidates ample time to build their campaigns and appeal to voters across the state. While Cassidy maintains the advantages of incumbency, including name recognition and fundraising capabilities, Letlow’s entry with Trump’s endorsement has fundamentally altered the race’s dynamics.

As the primary campaign progresses, the candidates will likely focus on issues including energy policy, which is particularly important in oil and gas-rich Louisiana, along with coastal restoration, infrastructure, and conservative policy priorities.