Trump-Backed Julia Letlow Defeats John Fleming in Louisiana GOP Senate Runoff

Rep. Julia Letlow, backed by President Donald Trump, won Louisiana’s Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate on Saturday, defeating state Treasurer John Fleming in a race projected by the Associated Press.

“Julia Letlow Wins Louisiana Senate GOP Runoff, Heads to November as Heavy Favorite LAFAYETTE, La”

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ABC News reported that as of 9:47 p.m. EDT with 39% of the expected vote, Letlow received about 55% and Fleming about 45%, after the May 16 primary left no candidate with a majority.

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In her victory speech in Baton Rouge, Letlow praised Trump as “the greatest president this country has ever had,” and she said she was “battle-tested for Nov. 3” as she aimed to win the general election.

NBC News projected Letlow’s victory shortly after polls closed at 9 p.m., and it said she will face Democrat Jamie Davis, a farmer, in November as the GOP nominee for the Senate seat held by Bill Cassidy.

The runoff followed a May primary in which GOP incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy finished third with about 25% and was knocked out, after Trump urged Louisianans to vote against Cassidy over his impeachment vote.

Letlow largely campaigned on Trump’s endorsement, and ABC News said she cast herself as a fighter while offering “effusive praise for Trump” in Baton Rouge.

CNN reported that in her victory speech Letlow thanked Trump and called him “the greatest president this country has ever had,” while Trump posted on Truth Social that “Julia Letlow WON in Louisiana, beating conclusively a very strong and smart opponent.”

ABC News

ABC News said Trump did not visit Louisiana, but he reinforced his endorsement on social media when early voting began and held a telerally for Letlow on Thursday.

In the contest, ABC News described Fleming as campaigning in lockstep with Trump despite failing to earn his endorsement, and it quoted Fleming’s earlier description of his relationship with Trump as “a warm relationship.”

ABC News also said Letlow and Fleming clashed over her past support for diversity, equity and inclusion, with Letlow telling NBC News she reversed her position after “saw it for what it was” and has since been “fighting against it.”

With Cassidy out after the May 16 primary, Letlow’s runoff win sets up a November general election against Democrat Jamie Davis, who won the Democratic Senate runoff Saturday, according to ABC News and NBC News.

“A candidate endorsed by United States President Donald Trump has won the Republican primary in Louisiana, putting her on track to win a seat in the US Senate in November”

Al Jazeera

ABC News reported that Davis won the Democratic runoff with about 79% of the vote as of 9:55 p.m. EDT with 51% of the expected vote, while Crockett received 21%, and it said Davis was backed by New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno.

WWNO said Letlow and Davis will face off for Cassidy’s U.S. Senate seat in November, and it quoted Letlow thanking Trump in her victory speech: “President Trump, thank you for encouraging me to get into this race, thank you for your endorsement, Louisiana loves you.”

NBC News framed the race as part of Trump’s effort to oust GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy, and it said Letlow is expected to join the Senate after serving nearly three terms in the House.

Al Jazeera reported that Letlow will be the favourite in the heavily Republican southern state and that she will face Democrat Jamie Davis, a farmer, in November, after Trump endorsed her while publicly opposing Cassidy.