Sen. Bill Cassidy's 2026 primary looms as Rep. Julia Letlow considers running

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Rep. Julia Letlow is seriously considering mounting a primary challenge against Sen. Bill Cassidy, her fellow Louisiana Republican, according to three GOP sources familiar with the matter. And she has received encouragement from the White House to jump into the race, two sources said.

Letlow, 44, has been weighing her options carefully over the past few months but has not put a timeline on making a decision, though sources say she has grown more serious about the idea of running for the Senate.

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She could be a formidable challenger to Cassidy — especially if she has Trump’s backing. One of the GOP sources said the White House has assured Letlow that its support would be there if she chooses to jump into the race.

Letlow's office declined to comment. The White House also declined requests for comment.

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Last week, Letlow pulled herself out of the running for a top leadership job at Louisiana State University, further fueling speculation that she was leaning toward the Senate race.

A House Republican who is close to Letlow said that while she has been giving serious consideration to running for the Senate, she still has some reservations about giving up her House seat and her coveted position on the powerful Appropriations Committee. She is also cognizant of how much money it would take to defeat Cassidy, who has backing from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott of South Carolina.

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Some may remember, but about a year ago, announced candidate and current State Treasurer accused Governor Landry of try to push Rep Letlow to be his candidate in the Senate race. Then…several months back, speculation about current State Rep close ally of Gov Landry, Julie Emerson, running surfaced. Rep Emerson then said she was considering, but would run only if Congressman Letlow had no intention of running.

Emerson declared her candidacy a month or two ago, which caused many to assume Letlow wasn’t running. Now you have the tweet from President Trump and this article citing “sources familiar with the matter.

Meanwhile, Blake Miguez seemed to come out initially with a bit of a bang, but hasn’t been nearly as outright visible as Cassidy, Emerson or Fleming.

I know we have some LA political insiders who post here from time to time. Curious the thoughts of them and others on here as to what’s going on.