Live Results: Louisiana midterm primary runoffs
PBS NewsHour – Politics — 2026-06-26 14:07:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump’s Endorsements Shape Louisiana Senate Race, Highlighting His Continued Influence in GOP Primaries
President Donald Trump’s ongoing sway over Republican primaries is again in the spotlight as Louisiana Republicans prepare to nominate a candidate for U.S. Senate in a primary runoff. Trump has already achieved a key political objective by helping to deny incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy a third term, and the upcoming runoff could further underscore his influence as he seeks to fill Congress with loyalists for his final two years in office.
Trump’s Role in the Louisiana Senate Race
Trump played a direct role in shaping the field for the now-open Senate seat. He encouraged U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow to challenge Cassidy in the primary and endorsed her before she officially entered the race in January. Since then, Trump has repeatedly reaffirmed his support for Letlow, including as recently as mid-June. Notably, he has not extended his endorsement to Letlow’s opponent in the runoff, state Treasurer John Fleming.
Letlow, who took office in 2021 after winning a special election to replace her late husband, led the May 16 primary with about 45% of the vote, falling short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff. Fleming finished second with 28%, just ahead of Cassidy’s 25%. The results reflected Trump’s ability to shape outcomes in Republican contests, particularly in rural areas where Letlow secured outright majorities.
A Mixed Track Record for Trump’s Endorsements
While Trump’s endorsees have generally performed well at the ballot box, the article notes that his recent picks for governor in Iowa and Georgia lost their primaries. In South Carolina, after his initial endorsee was forced into a runoff, Trump took the unusual step of backing both candidates. Ultimately, state Attorney General Alan Wilson won the nomination.
Conclusion: Trump’s Endorsements Remain a Defining Force
Trump’s repeated endorsements in Louisiana’s Senate race and his broader efforts to influence Republican primaries demonstrate his continued grip on the party’s direction. As the runoff approaches, the results will serve as another test of Trump’s ability to shape the GOP and populate Congress with his chosen allies, even as some of his recent endorsees have faced setbacks in other states.
The Louisiana race is a clear example of how Trump’s endorsements, and the loyalty he demands from candidates, continue to shape the Republican Party’s future—both in the state and nationally.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/live-results-louisiana-midterm-primary-runoffs