Cassidy, HELP Committee Chair, Loses Re-Election Bid in Louisiana Primary

Senator Bill Cassidy conceded defeat in Louisiana’s Republican primary after placing third in a three-way race. Rep. Julia Letlow and state treasurer John Fleming advanced to a June 27 runoff. Cassidy has served since 2015 and previously voted to convict and remove President Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill insurrection. Trump has since labeled Cassidy a traitor and urged Republicans to support Letlow. Some lawmakers said the results show Trump’s continued control of the Republican Party. Cassidy plans to remain in office for the rest of his term and has not specified plans for his remaining time. He emphasized accepting election results rather than claiming fraud.

"Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and chair of the high chamber's education committee, conceded his loss in the Louisiana primary Saturday. The incumbent placed third in a three-way race, ousted by a Trump-backed opponent, Rep. Julia Letlow, and state treasurer John Fleming, who will both advance to a June 27 runoff."

"Cassidy, who has held office since 2015, was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict and remove President Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection on Capitol Hill. Since then, the president has declared Cassidy a "traitor." Ahead of the Louisiana primary, Trump urged members of the GOP to vote for Letlow."

""His disloyalty to the man who got him elected is now part of legend," the president wrote in a Truth Social post about Cassidy. "And it's nice to see his political career is OVER." (Cassidy was elected to the Senate in 2014, before Trump's entry into national politics. Trump did not endorse either Cassidy or his primary opponent in 2014.)"

""You don't pout, you don't whine, you don't claim that the election was stolen," Cassidy said as he conceded. "You thank the voters for the privilege of representing the state""

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