Former US President Donald Trump has launched a significant political strike against Senator Bill Cassidy, a fellow Republican from Louisiana, by endorsing a potential primary challenger for his seat.
A Political Vendetta Unfolds
The move is widely seen as direct retaliation for Senator Cassidy's vote to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial. That trial followed the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters. Cassidy was one of only seven Republican senators who broke ranks with their party to support conviction.
Trump used his Truth Social platform to issue a "complete and total endorsement" for US House member Julia Letlow, should she decide to enter the race. His post emphatically concluded with, "RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!!"
This public snub comes despite Cassidy's subsequent efforts to mend fences with the former president. Notably, the senator, who is a medical doctor, voted to confirm Robert F Kennedy Jr as US health secretary in the Trump administration, despite Kennedy's well-known anti-vaccine activism. Cassidy had also expressed confidence that Trump would not intervene in his re-election bid for the November midterms.
Key Players and Reactions
In response to the endorsement, Senator Cassidy took to X, stating, "I'm proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana. If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win."
Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who was elected in a 2021 special election to the US House seat her late husband Luke had held before dying from Covid-19, acknowledged Trump's support on social media. She said she was honoured by his trust and that her mission was "to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger." Letlow made history as the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Louisiana.
Altered Electoral Landscape
The timing of this potential showdown is critical due to a recent change in Louisiana's electoral system. In 2024, state lawmakers approved a shift from an open "jungle" primary to a closed party primary system for certain offices, including Cassidy's Senate seat.
Under the old rules, Cassidy could have advanced to a runoff even if he finished second to another Republican in the primary. The new system, however, means he must win the Republican primary outright to secure a place in the general election runoff, significantly raising the stakes of a challenge from within his own party.
Candidates have until 13 February to file for the seat. According to reports from the New York Times, Trump informed Senate Majority Leader John Thune of his intention to endorse Letlow. Thune reportedly urged Trump to support Cassidy instead, citing long-term political consequences and the fact that Cassidy, as chair of the Senate health committee, would have jurisdiction over a major healthcare bill Trump is promoting.
