Donald Trump urged Rep. Julia Letlow to challenge Sen. Bill Cassidy in a Louisiana Senate primary and pledged his full endorsement if she runs. Letlow said she is honored by the endorsement but has not decided whether to enter the race. Cassidy declared he will seek re-election and said he is confident he would defeat Letlow if she runs. The White House has privately indicated it would back Letlow but has been cautious to avoid early intervention because Cassidy chairs a key Senate committee. Filing deadline for candidates is Feb. 13.
Trump Says He’ll Back Rep. Julia Letlow If She Challenges Sen. Bill Cassidy In Louisiana Primary
If Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., runs for U.S. Senate in Louisiana, she would have to file by Feb. 13. (Jacquelyn Martin / AP)(Jacquelyn Martin)
Former President Donald Trump publicly urged Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., to mount a primary challenge to Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in a post on Truth Social on Saturday evening — offering a full endorsement should she decide to run.
“Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!” Trump wrote.
Letlow responded on social media the same day, saying she is "honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and trust." She added: "My mission is clear: to ensure the nation our children inherit is safer and stronger."
According to two GOP sources familiar with the matter, Letlow has told associates in recent weeks that she is still weighing a campaign but would run only if Trump committed to endorsing her. When NBC News asked Letlow whether she had decided, she said, "I haven’t decided," and declined to answer follow-up questions about whether she wanted a Trump endorsement before formally entering the race.
Cassidy reacted on social media Saturday, announcing he is "proudly running for re-election as a principled conservative who gets things done for the people of Louisiana." He added, "If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I am confident I will win." When asked by NBC News earlier in the week about the President's support, Cassidy said "senior people" in the administration had told him Trump would not endorse — and reiterated, "I’m running for re-election. That’s all I can say."
Prospective candidates in Louisiana must file by Feb. 13 to enter the Senate race.
The White House has privately signaled it would support Letlow if she chooses to run, but officials have been cautious about intervening early. Their hesitation reflects concerns about alienating Cassidy, who chairs an influential Senate committee and provided pivotal Republican votes on several measures last year.
What to watch next: Whether Letlow files by the Feb. 13 deadline, whether Trump follows through with a formal campaign endorsement, and how Cassidy’s committee role and recent votes shape Republican primary dynamics in Louisiana.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.
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