Republican drops Senate bid after Trump-backed candidate jumps into race
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Louisiana State Representative Julie Emerson announced Thursday that she is canceling her bid for the U.S. Senate due to the entry of U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, who is backed by President Donald Trump, into the GOP primary.
Emerson said in a speech: “With the entry of Congresswoman Letlow into the race, the path to victory that appeared several months ago has narrowed. I support President Trump and respect his decision to support Julia Letlow to defeat Bill Cassidy. That is why I am choosing to end my campaign now.” expression.
Incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015, is running for re-election.
TRUMP’S APPROVAL WITH LETLOW’S SKIP CLOSES THE LOUSIANA SENATE RACE
Still “Julie Emerson challenges Cassidy for U.S. Senate.” (YouTube/@JulieEmersonLA)
After the House impeached Trump in 2021, Cassidy was one of the Senate Republicans who voted to convict in a vote that took place after Trump left office; The Senate vote ultimately fell short of the threshold needed to convict Trump.
The president pledged his support to Letlow in a post on Truth Social on Saturday.
WHO IS JOHN FLEMING, THE FREEDOM BOARD FOUNDING MEMBER WHO CHALLENGED GOP SEN BILL CASSIDY?
President Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., arrives at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, on September 17, 2025, for a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“Julia Letlow has my Total and Total Approval if she decides to enter this Race. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!” the president called out to mail.
Letlow launched his Senate bid days later.
GOP LOUISIANA STATE SENATOR SAYS HE’S RUNNING FOR US SENATE BECAUSE THE INCIDENT REPUBLICAN IS ‘THE ONE’
President Donald Trump, Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La. and First Lady Melania Trump during the Congressional Ball in the Grand Foyer of the White House on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Today, I am announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate to ensure that the nation we leave to our children is safer and stronger. Louisiana deserves a conservative Senator who will not waver. I am honored to have the support and trust of President Trump. Let’s go Geaux!” announced on Tuesday to mail In X.
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Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming and state Sen. Blake Miguez are also running in the state’s Republican U.S. Senate primary.
