Fifth District Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she will run for U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Bill Cassidy in the Republican Primary. Letlow made the announcement at the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Power Breakfast event. Her announcement comes after President Trump endorsed her over Cassidy. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says with Trump’s backing, Letlow is the favorite to win this seat.
“I think Republicans all across the Louisiana will unite to get behind President Trump’s endorsement,” Cross said.
Qualifying for the U.S. Senate seat is next month, and the party primary is May 16th. Cross says there is a good chance the primary will be decided in a run-off held on June 27th.
“Because of the rule changes in Louisiana, Bill Cassidy has to emerge a majority winner in the closed primary, closed Republican primary. And his ability to do that, with President Trump on the side of someone else, is now very much in question,” Cross said.
Cassidy released a statement following Letlow’s announcement that expressed confidence he will win a third term in office. Letlow is in her second term as a U.S. Representative and Cross says it is a political gamble to run for the Senate.
“It’s always dangerous when a member of the House of Representatives decides to run for the Senate because, of course, if they lose, they are out of office,” Cross noted.