**Trump Shakes Up Louisiana Senate Race With Julia Letlow Endorsement**
Key Takeaways:
- Rep. Julia Letlow received a high-profile endorsement from Donald Trump for Senate.
- The move directly challenges incumbent GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy ahead of the 2026 election.
- Letlow is expected to announce her Senate bid imminently, altering Louisiana’s GOP primary dynamics.
BATON ROUGE, La. — “Julia Letlow” is trending as the Louisiana Congresswoman moves closer to launching a U.S. Senate campaign following an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Trump publicly backed Letlow over incumbent Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, sparking a major shift in Louisiana’s GOP dynamics just months before key primaries.
Trump’s Endorsement Alters GOP Battleground
In a Truth Social post on Saturday, December 2, Trump wrote: “RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!,” giving Letlow what he called his “Complete and Total Endorsement.” Sources close to the Congresswoman confirm she may declare her candidacy in the coming days. Letlow, first elected in a special election in 2021 after the death of her husband, has stated her intent to provide “unwavering conservative leadership” in the Senate.
Letlow’s potential entry marks a direct challenge to Sen. Bill Cassidy, a two-term Republican and chair of the Senate Health Committee. Cassidy has remained defiant, saying on social media that he is running as a “principled conservative who gets things done.” Yet Trump’s endorsement could significantly erode support from the state’s Republican base, especially considering Cassidy’s vote to convict Trump during the 2021 impeachment trial.
Why the Endorsement Matters Now
This move comes amid tensions within the Republican party as Trump continues to intervene in key Senate primaries. Sources told Fox News that Letlow had no intention of challenging Cassidy without Trump’s backing. Her support from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) PAC, which aligns with Trump-endorsed figures, underscores the growing divide between pro-Trump Republicans and establishment leaders like Senate Minority Whip John Thune, who backs Cassidy.
Long known for his policy work, Cassidy now faces pressure not only from Letlow but also from State Treasurer John Fleming and other pro-Trump challengers. With Louisiana being a solidly Republican state, the primary effectively determines the Senate seat holder, heightening internal party stakes.
Implications for the 2026 Senate Map
The political fallout could extend beyond Louisiana. The Republican Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), aligned with Thune, has opted to stay neutral in the race — a move rare for a key GOP PAC. If Letlow runs, she’ll have substantial grassroots and financial backing, potentially propelling her past Cassidy, despite his current $10 million war chest compared to Letlow’s $2.3 million.
This division may also signal how other Senate races unfold, including early signs that Trump could intervene in the Texas GOP primary. Analysts say that the Louisiana situation could serve as a bellwether for Trump’s influence on the Senate map in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is julia letlow trending?
A: She received Donald Trump’s endorsement for U.S. Senate, positioning her to challenge incumbent Republican Bill Cassidy in Louisiana.
Q: What happens next?
A: Letlow is expected to officially enter the race within days; fundraising and intra-party competition will intensify immediately after her announcement.
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