Trump's Endorsement Power Wins Louisiana, Stumbles in Iowa
President Donald Trump secured another major endorsement victory on Saturday as Rep. Julia Letlow won the Louisiana GOP Senate runoff, effectively ending the political career of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy. While Trump's backing proved decisive in the Bayou State, his recent endorsement record shows mixed results, including a notable setback in Iowa's gubernatorial race where voters charted their own path.
How did Julia Letlow win the Louisiana Senate runoff?
Letlow defeated state Treasurer John Fleming to capture the Republican nomination. She enjoyed the strong backing of both President Trump and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a top Trump ally. Letlow finished first in the primary, double digits ahead of Fleming, and maintained that momentum through the runoff.
Letlow will now be the clear frontrunner in the midterm election against either farmer Jamie Davis or Navy veteran Gary Crockett, the Democratic Party runoff candidates.
Trump celebrated the victory on Truth Social, calling the result great news.
Julia Letlow WON in Louisiana, beating conclusively a very strong and smart opponent, Trump wrote. Congratulations to Julia. She will be a truly GREAT Senator!
What happened to anti-Trump Senator Bill Cassidy?
Six weeks after denying Cassidy a third six-year term, Louisiana Republican voters sent a clear message about accountability. Cassidy was the first elected Republican senator to lose renomination since Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana in 2012.
Five years ago, Cassidy voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial. Trump celebrated Cassidy's defeat on social media, stating that it is nice to see that his political career is OVER!
Cassidy took a jab at the president after conceding the race.
When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn't turn out the way you want it to, Cassidy said. But you don't pout, you don't whine. You don't claim the election was stolen... You don't manufacture some excuse.
Why did Trump's endorsement fall short in the Iowa governor's race?
While Trump's endorsement carried Louisiana, the brute force of his backing hit a speed bump right here in Iowa. Three weeks ago, Trump's last-minute endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra was not enough to propel the three-term congressman to victory in the race to succeed retiring GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Feenstra was narrowly edged out by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer and former political strategist. Lahn secured crucial backing from the political wings of MAHA, the Make America Healthy Again movement aligned with Trump's Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with Turning Point USA. The Iowa result shows that while Trump's endorsement is powerful, the conservative coalition is dynamic and voters respond to local grassroots energy.
What is Trump's overall endorsement record in recent primaries?
Over the past two months, the president's endorsement power has mostly been on display, with his candidates ousting targeted incumbents in Indiana, Kentucky and Texas.
In South Carolina, Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pam Evette finished first in the GOP gubernatorial primary. Longtime Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham also won a majority of the vote, avoiding a runoff despite challenges from candidates like conservative businessman Mark Lynch.
Two weeks ago, Trump-backed candidates won two of the three top races in Georgia and Alabama. In Alabama, House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Barry Moore comfortably defeated rival Jared Hudson. In Georgia, an 11th-hour endorsement by Trump helped boost Rep. Mike Collins to victory over former college football coach Derek Dooley. Collins will now face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in a race that could decide GOP control of the Senate.
Trump did face a setback in Georgia's GOP gubernatorial runoff, where his endorsed candidate, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, lost to billionaire businessman Rick Jackson. Meanwhile, in upstate New York, Trump-backed businessman Anthony Constantino defeated state Assembly member Robert Smullen to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik.
Who is Julia Letlow?
Julia Letlow is a Republican congresswoman who won her current House seat in 2021. She entered the race after her husband, Luke Letlow, died five days before being sworn into the U.S. House following his 2020 election victory. She highlighted her strong support from President Trump throughout her Senate campaign.
Who won the Republican nomination for governor in Iowa?
Zach Lahn won the Republican nomination for governor in Iowa, defeating Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra. Lahn built a winning coalition with support from the MAHA movement and Turning Point USA.
Will the Louisiana Senate seat stay Republican?
Yes, Julia Letlow is considered the clear frontrunner in the solidly red Gulf Coast state against either of the Democratic runoff candidates, Jamie Davis or Gary Crockett.