Trump Considers Letlow to Challenge Cassidy in Senate Primary
President Donald Trump and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry are reportedly discussing the possibility of U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow challenging U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s Republican primary. This speculation arises amid dissatisfaction within Trump’s base, primarily due to Cassidy’s vote to convict Trump during the 2021 impeachment trial following the January 6 Capitol riot.
Governor Landry, a close Trump associate, has been championing Letlow as a potential contender. Cassidy, a two-term senator and a medical doctor, has faced increased scrutiny from conservative factions in Louisiana, particularly after distancing himself from Trump and confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary. Cassidy’s impeachment vote looms as a significant hurdle in his re-election bid, as many view it as a betrayal of Trump.
Eddie Rispone, a 2019 gubernatorial candidate, noted that Cassidy struggles to acknowledge a mistake regarding his impeachment vote, leading to potential vulnerabilities within a state that largely favors Trump. Republican insiders have characterized Cassidy’s relationship with Landry as cordial but distant due to their differing loyalties to the former president.
Letlow, who succeeded her late husband in Congress after winning a special election, holds a significant position on the House Appropriations Committee. Her appeal could grow as Louisiana’s electoral landscape shifts, especially after redistricting has changed her constituency to include more urban areas.
Cassidy, currently facing competition from candidates like Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming, remains confident about his re-election, backed by a substantial fundraising lead of over $7.4 million. Despite past animosities, Trump acknowledged Cassidy at a recent White House event, indicating a complex relationship ahead of the primaries.
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