Full Breakdown
Louisiana Senate Runoff Highlights Trump’s Enduring Influence and Voter Turnout
6/27/2026, 1:42:16 AM
Background: Cassidy’s Defeat and Trump’s Endorsements
Incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy finished third in the May 16 primary with about 25 % of the vote, behind Rep. Julia Letlow (?45 %) and Treasurer John Fleming (?28 %). President Donald Trump urged Letlow to run and endorsed her before she entered the race, reissuing the endorsement through mid-June. He did not endorse Fleming.
Republican Runoff: Letlow vs. Fleming
The runoff pits Letlow, who won a 2021 special election after her husband Luke Letlow’s death, against Fleming, a former eight-year congressman who lost a 2016 Senate bid. Letlow led in rural northeastern parishes and along the Mississippi border; Fleming’s best results were in northwestern parishes, though he trailed Letlow in Shreveport’s Caddo Parish.
Democratic Runoff: Davis vs. Crockett
Democratic contenders are farmer Jamie Davis, who farms 3,000 acres in Tensas Parish and served as a police juror, and Navy veteran Gary Crockett, a New Orleans-based businessman who owns four companies. Both present themselves as outsiders promising new Senate leadership.
Voter Participation
Louisiana has about 3 million registered voters, split roughly 1.1 million each for Democrats and Republicans and 819,000 unaffiliated. The May 16 primary drew 832,000 voters (?28 %). Early voting made up about one-third of each party’s ballots; by Thursday, 82,000 Republican and 61,000 Democratic early or absentee ballots were recorded for the runoff.
Impact
The runoff decides who will hold the open Senate seat, a race Democrats do not prioritize for regaining control. A Letlow win would underscore Trump’s capacity to place loyalists in Congress; a Fleming victory would show a broader GOP field beyond Trump’s endorsement.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump’s campaign releases describe his endorsement of Letlow as “support for a candidate who embodies our values.” The Associated Press says it will announce a winner only after confirming no remaining vote scenario could change the result, typically reporting results within minutes of poll closure.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts note Trump’s recent primary losses in Iowa and Georgia suggest his influence is not universal. Democrats also view the seat as a low priority in the 2026 midterms.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I know the citizens of Louisiana and the American people go through and I think that gives me a different perspective than all the other candidates,” — Jamie Davis, Democratic Senate candidate
- “I’ve worked hard all my life, nothing has been given to me,” — Jamie Davis
- “the Senate, who can lead the people who can work on legislation and bring money back home to all 64 parishes.” — Gary Crockett, Democratic Senate candidate
- “With an incumbent being out I look at this as an open race,” — Gary Crockett
What’s Next
Runoff results will be tallied Saturday night, with the AP expected to certify the winner after the 1:30 a.m. ET update. The victor will face the November 3 general election and the December 12 congressional primaries.
