Julia Letlow wins Louisiana GOP Senate runoff

June 28, 2026

2–3 minutes

Summary

CNN projects Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana's Republican Senate runoff, making her the favorite in November.

Why this matters

The result positions Letlow to likely join the Senate from a reliably Republican state and adds to Trump's record of influence in GOP primaries. It also marks Louisiana's first federal election cycle under its new party primary system.

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana’s Republican Senate runoff on Saturday, CNN’s Decision Desk projected, defeating state Treasurer John Fleming after making President Donald Trump’s endorsement a central part of her campaign.

Letlow’s win makes her the clear favorite in November in the Republican-leaning state. Trump has won Louisiana by more than 18 points three times, and Democrats are not treating the race as a top target.

In a Truth Social post, Trump called Letlow’s victory “great news” and said, “Julia Letlow WON in Louisiana, beating conclusively a very strong and smart opponent. Congratulations to Julia. She will be a truly GREAT Senator!”

In her victory speech, Letlow thanked Trump for his endorsement and called him “the greatest president this country has ever had.” She said Fleming had called to concede.

“I will fight for our families. I will fight for our farmers. I will fight for our teachers. I will fight for our parents. I will fight for our law enforcement. I will fight for everyone in this room,” Letlow told supporters. “Every breath I have left, I will be fighting for Louisiana.”

Letlow and Fleming sought to replace Sen. Bill Cassidy, a two-term Republican who finished third in the May 16 primary. Cassidy and Texas Sen. John Cornyn were the two Republican incumbents defeated in primaries this spring after Trump opposed them. Cassidy voted in 2021 to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial.

In the primary, Letlow won nearly 45% of the vote, followed by Fleming at 28% and Cassidy at almost 25%, sending the top two finishers to a runoff.

Trump held a telephone rally for Letlow on Thursday, saying he had seen her “tested at the highest level” and calling her “a fearless champion for the people of your great state, right from the beginning.” He also praised her support for his tax and spending law, immigration enforcement policies, and elections bill.

Fleming, 74, also ran as a Trump ally. Letlow, 45, a former university administrator, was first elected to Congress in 2021 after winning a special election following the death of her husband, Luke Letlow, from Covid-19 in December 2020, weeks after he won the 5th District House seat.

This year’s Louisiana primaries were the first since the state ended its jungle primary system.

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