Louisiana Senate Primary Features Cassidy, Letlow, Fleming

Louisiana Republicans head to the polls Saturday in a primary election for the U.S. Senate seat held by incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy, who faces challenges from Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming. The contest, under a new separate-party primary system, is expected to send the top two finishers to a June 27 runoff, with no independent polling showing a clear leader.

Cassidy, a physician seeking a third term, drew President Donald Trump's opposition after voting to convict him in his 2021 second impeachment trial over the January 6 Capitol events. Cassidy was one of seven Senate Republicans to do so and remains one of three still serving. Trump endorsed Letlow in January, prompting most other challengers to withdraw, though Fleming, largely self-funding his bid, persisted. Trump later criticized Cassidy as disloyal following the senator's role in blocking a recent nominee for surgeon general.

Recent tensions stem from Cassidy's position as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. He confirmed Trump's health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. but opposed some agency decisions and commented on Tuesday that outgoing FDA Commissioner...