Full Breakdown
Louisiana Closed Primary Threatens Pro-Impeachment Senator Bill Cassidy
5/13/2026, 5:39:33 AM
The Primary Contest
- Bill Cassidy, one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Donald Trump in the Jan. 2021 impeachment trial, faces a closed-party primary on Saturday.
- He is challenged by Rep. Julia Letlow, endorsed by Trump, and state Treasurer John Fleming, a former congressman running on a Trump-aligned platform.
- Polls place the three within a few points; if no candidate reaches a majority, the top two will meet in a June 27 runoff.
Election-Law Shift
- Louisiana recently replaced its “jungle” primary with a closed primary that restricts voting to registered Republicans, concentrating the electorate among voters loyal to Trump and sidelining independents and Democrats.
Survival Rates of Impeachment-Voting Republicans
- Seven Republican senators voted to convict Trump; only three—Dan Newhouse, David Valadao, and Lisa Murkowski—have won subsequent elections, all after competing in open-primary contests.
- Among ten House Republicans who voted to impeach, only three survived, also thanks to open-primary formats.
- Maine’s Susan Collins, who faces no primary challenger because Maine’s primary allows independents, also avoided a Trump-backed opponent.
Why It Matters
- Cassidy’s defeat would further shrink the cohort of Republican lawmakers who broke with Trump, reinforcing the former president’s sway over the Senate and illustrating how closed primaries can eliminate dissent.
Official Statements & Responses
- Trump’s endorsement of Letlow frames her candidacy as the continuation of his agenda.
- Cassidy’s campaign has poured resources into attacks on Letlow, a tactic that appears to have boosted Fleming’s visibility.
- Murkowski’s 2022 open-primary win illustrates how broader electorates can protect impeachment-voting Republicans.
Criticism & Opposition
- Trump supporters label Cassidy’s impeachment vote a betrayal, while critics argue his Jan. 6 record and conviction vote make him unsuitable for a staunchly pro-Trump constituency.
Verbatim Quotes
- “— Adam Wollner The Republicans who backed Trump’s impeachment are dwindling.” — Steve Kornacki
- “Bill Cassidy, one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict President Donald Trump in his January 2021 impeachment trial.” — Steve Kornacki
- “The key is a change in Louisiana election law that has turned Saturday’s contest into a closed primary, meaning only registered Republicans may vote.” — Steve Kornacki
- “But Louisiana is a far cry from Maine, and Trump and his allies have no hesitation when it comes to trying to put an end to Cassidy’s career right now.” — Steve Kornacki
What’s Next
- If Cassidy finishes in the top two, he will face a June 27 runoff against Letlow or Fleming. Murkowski’s and Collins’s races will proceed under open-primary rules, offering a contrast to Louisiana’s system.
