Sen. Cassidy Faces Tough Primary Challenge: What to Know

The senator remains under scrutiny from many Republicans for being one of seven GOP senators who voted in 2021 to convict Trump.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) speaks in Washington on Sept. 24, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) speaks in Washington on Sept. 24, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) faces a difficult primary battle as Louisiana voters head to the polls on May 16.

Cassidy faces challenges from Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) and Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming.

Here is what to know about the GOP Senate primary in the Pelican State.

Running Against Trump-Endorsed Candidate

The Louisiana senator remains under scrutiny from many Republicans for being one of seven GOP senators who voted in 2021 to convict President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach.

Trump was ultimately acquitted, but the vote strained Cassidy’s relationship with the president, who later endorsed Letlow.

“As your next Senator, Julia will work tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Support our Amazing Farmers and Fishermen, Champion Louisiana Oil & Gas, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote in a Jan. 18 post on Truth Social ahead of Letlow announcing her bid.

Cassidy has argued that he remains an effective ally to Trump despite their differences.

“If you want somebody who works well with President Trump, you vote for Bill Cassidy,” Cassidy told The Washington Post. “He may not like me, but he has signed into law four bills that I either wrote or negotiated in the last four months.”

Cassidy Trails in Polling

An Emerson College Polling/KLFY News 10 survey shows Fleming leading with 28 percent, followed by Letlow with 27 percent and Cassidy with 21 percent.

Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) speaks during an event in Washington on March 1, 2022. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

The race is expected to head to a runoff as none of the candidates are expected to receive a majority of the votes.

Cassidy Versus RFK Jr.

As chairman of the Senate Health Committee, Cassidy also drew attention earlier this year during the confirmation process for Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Cassidy publicly wrestled with whether to back Kennedy before ultimately casting a key vote in favor of his confirmation, after securing commitments on vaccine oversight.

Kennedy later removed every member of a federal vaccine advisory committee and replaced them with individuals Cassidy had previously described as unqualified.

Since then, Cassidy has become increasingly critical of Kennedy’s leadership, including his handling of the childhood vaccine schedule.

“Changing the pediatric vaccine schedule based on no scientific input on safety risks and little transparency will cause unnecessary fear for patients and doctors, and will make America sicker,” Cassidy wrote in a Jan. 5 post on X.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is sworn in as health secretary in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Feb. 13, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Despite supporting Kennedy’s nomination, Cassidy has faced political backlash from Kennedy’s allies.

Federal Election Commission filings bring the MAHA PAC’s total spending ​in the Louisiana race to more than $391,000 since mid-March, according to a Reuters review of FEC ​records.

About 70 percent of that total, more than $276,000, has gone toward opposing Cassidy, and about $115,000 has gone toward supporting Letlow.

The spending surge followed Trump’s April 30 decision to withdraw surgeon general nominee Casey Means and instead nominate radiologist and Fox News contributor Nicole Saphier. Trump accused Cassidy of helping block Means’s nomination and questioned the senator’s loyalty.

Reuters and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.