Julia Letlow (R) and John Fleming (R) advanced to a June 27 Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate in Louisiana, with 45% and 28% of the primary vote, respectively. Incumbent Bill Cassidy finished third, with 24% of the vote.
NOLA's Tyler Bridges wrote, "As during the primary, Letlow and Fleming are both claiming to be Trump’s preferred candidate. Letlow cites the endorsement, while Fleming points to his work as Trump’s deputy chief of staff during his first term and a more conservative voting record in Congress."
As of the 2026 election, Letlow represents Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. Letlow earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisiana Monroe and her doctorate from the University of South Florida. She worked as a university professor and administrator before her election to the U.S. House in 2021. President Donald Trump (R), Gov. Jeff Landry (R), and five sitting Republican U.S. Senators endorsed Letlow.
Letlow said she is running "to ensure the nation we leave our children is safer and stronger. Louisiana deserves a conservative Senator who will not waver. I am honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and trust." Letlow said in a campaign advertisement, "I have fought alongside President Trump to put America first -- standing up for our parents, securing our borders, supporting law enforcement, rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse that drives up inflation, and fighting to fix an education system too focused on woke ideology instead of teaching."
As of the 2026 election, Fleming is the Louisiana State Treasurer. Fleming earned his bachelor's degree and medical degree from the University of Mississippi. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked as a physician and business owner. He represented Louisiana's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House from 2009 to 2017 and was Trump's deputy chief of staff at the end of Trump's first term.
Fleming told Louisiana First News' André Moreau that he has the most experience: "I am a family physician ... Also I opened up a number of businesses that operate. ... I served eight years in the House of Representatives, I worked four years in the Trump administration. ... And then I've been your state treasurer for the last two years, so I'm bringing all that experience to this job." Fleming's campaign website said, "Now, John Fleming is running for the U.S. Senate to take that same conservative leadership to Washington — defending our values, securing our borders, protecting Louisiana jobs, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump to put America First."
Louisiana used closed party primaries for some offices in 2026, including the U.S. Senate, meaning Democrats and Republicans selected nominees for the general election. Previously, Louisiana used the majority-vote primary. In that system, all candidates appeared on the same ballot and the top-two finishers advanced to the general election regardless of their party. A candidate who earned a simple majority of the vote in the primary won the election outright.
