Washington — GOP Rep. Julia Letlow is leaping into the Louisiana Senate race after President Trump inspired her to problem sitting Sen. Invoice Cassidy within the state’s major.
Mr. Trump inspired Letlow to run for the seat in a put up on Reality Social on Saturday, pledging to endorse her ought to she enter the race.
“In the present day, I’m asserting my candidacy for the US Senate to make sure the nation we go away our youngsters is safer and stronger,” Letlow mentioned in a put up on X Tuesday morning. “Louisiana deserves a conservative Senator who won’t waver. I’m honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and belief.”
The Better Baton Rouge Enterprise Report mentioned earlier Tuesday that Letlow introduced she was getting into the race at a breakfast occasion hosted by the publication in Louisiana.
Cassidy mentioned Letlow additionally referred to as him to share the information.
“Congresswoman Letlow referred to as me this morning to say she was operating,” Cassidy mentioned in a press release to CBS Information. “She mentioned she revered me and that I had completed a great job. I’ll proceed to do a great job once I win re-election. I’m a conservative who wakes up each morning fascinated with the way to make Louisiana and the US a greater place to reside.”
Letlow has represented Louisiana’s fifth Congressional District within the Home since 2021, when she received a particular election for the seat following the loss of life of her husband, who died from issues associated to COVID-19 earlier than he could possibly be sworn into workplace. Letlow, 44, grew to become the primary Republican girl elected to signify Louisiana in Congress.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photos
The president referred to as Letlow a “TOTAL WINNER!” and “Nice Star” in his put up on Reality Social backing her potential Senate bid.
“A Proud Mom of two kids, Julia is an excellent individual, has ALWAYS delivered for Louisiana, and would proceed doing so in the US Senate,” Mr. Trump mentioned. “Ought to she determine to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Full and Complete Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!”
Mr. Trump’s transfer to again Letlow comes as Cassidy, a Republican who has often damaged together with his celebration, is searching for a 3rd time period within the Senate.
Cassidy, 68, was one in every of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Mr. Trump in his impeachment trial after the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol in 2021. And extra just lately, the Louisiana Republican, who’s a medical physician, has additionally been at odds with the administration over HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s management.
Cassidy delivered the important thing vote to advance Kennedy’s nomination out of committee and guarantee his affirmation in February, regardless of doubts over Kennedy’s views on vaccines. However Cassidy has since damaged with the HHS secretary on a number of events.
He has made an effort to work with the administration on well being care points like addressing the price of insurance coverage, introducing a measure to place funds into well being financial savings accounts because the president pushed for sending cash on to People reasonably than insurance coverage firms.
Letlow mentioned in a video asserting her candidacy that “a state as conservative as ours, we should not need to marvel how our senator will vote when the strain’s on.”
“Louisiana deserves conservative champions — leaders who won’t flinch,” she added.
Letlow’s entrance into the race, and the president’s backing, is anticipated to create difficulties for Senate GOP leaders. Simply days forward of the president’s announcement, Senate Majority Chief John Thune joined Cassidy on the marketing campaign path in Louisiana. And though the seat is taken into account secure for Republicans, the president’s transfer may threaten key votes within the Senate going ahead, since Cassidy could also be much less inclined to fall in line.
