Republican drops Senate bid after Trump-backed candidate jumps into race

Louisiana state Rep. Julie Emerson announced Thursday that she is dropping her bid for the U.S. Senate in light of the entry of U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, endorsed by President Donald Trump, into the Republican Party primary.

“With Congresswoman Letlow’s entry into the race, the path to victory that was visible a few months ago has diminished. I support President Trump and respect his decision to support Julia Letlow to defeat Bill Cassidy. For this reason, I am choosing to end my campaign now,” Emerson said in a statement.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015, is up for re-election.

Trump Endorsement Rocks Louisiana Senate Race as LETLOW Jumps In

Image from “Julie Emerson to Challenge Cassidy for US Senate.” (YouTube/@JulieEmersonLA)

After the House impeached Trump in 2021, Cassidy was one of the Senate Republicans who voted for conviction in a vote that took place after Trump had already left office — the Senate vote ultimately did not meet the threshold required to convict Trump.

The president pledged his support for Letlow in a Truth Social article on Saturday.

WHO IS JOHN FLEMING, THE FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE FREEDOM CAUCUS CHALLENGING GOP SEN BILL CASSIDY?

Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., arrives for a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building September 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

“If she decides to run this race, Julia Letlow has my complete and total support. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!” the president exclaimed in the message.

Letlow launched a Senate bid days later.

LOUISIANA STATE GOP SENATOR SAYS HE’S CANDIDATING FOR U.S. SENATE BECAUSE THE OWNER’S REPUBLIC ‘SUCKS’

President Donald Trump, Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., and first lady Melania Trump during the Congressional Ball in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, DC, Thursday, December 11, 2025. (Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Today, I announce my candidacy for the United States Senate to ensure that the nation we leave for our children is safer and stronger. Louisiana deserves a conservative senator who will not waver. I am honored to have the endorsement and trust of President Trump. Come on Geaux!” she said in a Tuesday post on X.

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Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming and State Senator Blake Miguez are also running in the state’s Republican U.S. Senate primary.