In a race between two staunch conservatives in Louisiana who campaigned on their loyalty to President Donald Trump, Rep. Julia Letlow will win the state’s Republican Senate runoff, the Related Press projected Saturday night.
As of 9:47 p.m. EDT, with 39% of the anticipated vote, Letlow acquired about 55% of the vote, defeating Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming with about 45% of the vote, in response to the AP.
In her victory speech in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Letlow solid herself as a fighter and provided effusive reward for Trump.
She referred to as him “the best president this nation has ever had.”
U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., speaks to supporters throughout an election night time watch social gathering Saturday, Might 16, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photograph/Matthew Hinton)
Matthew Hinton/AP Photograph/Matthew Hinton
“I knew it was going to be a troublesome race, and it was crammed with trials, however I am so proud to say that I’m actually battle-tested for Nov. 3, and we’re going to go win this factor,” Letlow stated.
Her victory marks one other win for the president and his endorsement report this midterm cycle. Within the Might 16 Republican major, Letlow led with about 45% of the vote over Fleming, who gained about 28% of the vote, in response to the AP. Voters solid out two-term incumbent Sen. Invoice Cassidy, who trailed behind with about 25% of the vote.
Letlow rose to political prominence in 2021 after profitable a seat within the fifth Congressional District. She ran in a particular election after her husband, who had been elected to signify that district, died from COVID-19 problems earlier than he might take workplace.
Fleming, a doctor and former congressman who additionally served in a number of roles in Trump’s first administration, largely campaigned in lockstep with the president, regardless of failing to earn his endorsement. The treasurer beforehand advised ABC Information they “take pleasure in a heat relationship.”
U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Julia Letlow speaks to media throughout an election night time watch social gathering, Might 16, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La.
Matthew Hinton/AP Photograph, FILE
In Trump’s mission to oust his perceived political foes, he urged Louisianans to vote towards Cassidy, who in 2021 voted to convict the president following the Jan. 6 rebel. This week, Trump and Cassidy clashed over the outgoing senator’s vote to rein in Trump’s powers amid the warfare in Iran, ABC Information reported.
With Cassidy off the poll, some Louisianans might have been much less motivated to vote within the runoff, in response to Lionel Rainey III, a Republican strategist.
“You had those that turned out in spherical one simply to vote towards Cassidy. That mission is over,” he advised ABC Information forward of the race.
Nonetheless, Letlow entered the race higher positioned to win, Robert Hogan, a Louisiana State College professor of political science, advised ABC Information.
Trump didn’t go to the Pelican State, however bolstered his endorsement of Letlow on social media when early voting started and held a telerally for the congresswoman on Thursday.
The competition between Letlow and Fleming turned acrimonious at occasions. The treasurer has been essential of what he calls the “darkish cash” and slew of assault advertisements waged towards him, notably on unlawful immigration, at the same time as he campaigned on securing stronger borders.
Fleming additionally employed an identical playbook to Cassidy. He has painted the congresswoman as “liberal,” notably over feedback she made in assist of variety, fairness and inclusion (DEI) whereas interviewing to change into president on the College of Louisiana at Monroe in 2020.
Letlow stated in a debate this yr towards Fleming that since then, “the left utterly hijacked DEI,” later including she “spent the final 5 years in Congress working towards it.”
Letlow will face off towards Jamie Davis, who was backed by New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno within the deep-red state this November. Davis, a farmer, gained the runoff towards Gary Crockett, the AP projected. As of 9:55 p.m. EDT, with 51% of the anticipated vote, Davis earned about 79% of the vote, whereas Crockett acquired 21%.
