Outside the Beltway

Cassidy to Face Primary Challenge?

Are deals with the devil not worth anything these days?

· Monday, January 19, 2026 · 2 comments

Photo by SLT (All Rights Reserved)

Via NBC News: Trump encourages Rep. Julia Letlow to primary Sen. Bill Cassidy.

President Donald Trump on Saturday encouraged Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., to primary Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., for his U.S. Senate seat.

“Should she decide to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

[…]

In recent weeks, Letlow has told people around her that she was still considering running but would only get into the race if Trump committed to endorsing her, according to two GOP sources familiar with the matter.

Asked by NBC News on Tuesday if she’s made up her mind, Letlow said, “I haven’t decided.”

At this stage of the game, I honestly have no idea what kind of chance such a challenge might have against Cassidy (who has stated he plans to seek re-nomination). But it is just another bit of a cautionary tale that so many Republicans seem hellbent on ignoring: loyalty to Trump is a one-way street.

Cassidy knew that RFK, Jr. was a bad choice for HHS, but rolled the dice because he was hoping that maybe he could save his seat. Did he really think that voting for terrible cabinet nominees who were clearly going to do serious damage to public health in the US would make Trump forget he voted to convict him in his second impeachment trial?

FILED UNDER: 2026 Election, Health, US Politics, , , ,
Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science and former College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter and/or BlueSky.

Comments

  1. wr says:
    Monday, 19 January 2026 at 09:22

    It’s too bad that a Trump-endorsed primary challenger is the worst that Cassidy will face. Personally I’ve favor arrest and trial on charges of treason and accomplice to mass murder. But you take what you can get.

    2
  2. Richard Gardner says:
    Monday, 19 January 2026 at 21:31

    Similar for the others who voted to impeach. Two managed to beat back primary challengers in 2024 but are not running for reelection:
    Don Bacon – Nebraska
    Dan Newhouse – Washington State. Wiith WA’s top-two primary the general election was two Republicans in 2024 with Newhouse winning 52-46 against a MAGA candidate, with most Democrats supporting him.
    If you do not support the great leader, or if you are a moderate Republican, you will be punished.

    2

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