Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, May 17: US President Donald Trump secured another political victory in his effort to sideline Republican critics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections after Trump-backed candidate Julia Letlow emerged as the leading contender in the Louisiana Republican primary for the US Senate.

According to preliminary election results cited by media reports, Letlow led the Republican contest ahead of incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy and state Treasurer John Fleming.

With more than 90 per cent of votes counted, Letlow secured around 44 per cent of the vote, while Fleming polled nearly 28 per cent and Cassidy trailed with approximately 25 per cent.

Under Louisiana election law, if no candidate secures more than 50 per cent of the vote, the top two candidates advance to a runoff election scheduled for June 27.

Cassidy, a two-term senator and physician, became the first Republican congressional incumbent this year to lose a re-election bid after drawing criticism from Trump and his supporters.

The Louisiana senator had fallen out with Trump after becoming one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict him during his second impeachment trial following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

Cassidy had also publicly criticised members of Trump’s administration, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, and questioned the qualifications of surgeon general nominee Casey Means during Senate hearings.

The latest primary result is being viewed as another success in Trump’s ongoing effort to remove dissenting voices within the Republican Party.

Several Republican leaders who previously criticised Trump, including Senators Mitch McConnell and Thom Tillis, have already announced their retirement plans ahead of the 2026 elections.

Trump has also shifted attention to the upcoming May 19 Republican primary in Kentucky, where Congressman Thomas Massie is reportedly facing a challenge from a Trump-backed candidate.

As Louisiana voters headed to polling stations, Trump once again attacked Cassidy on social media, calling him a “disloyal disaster”, “sleazebag” and a “terrible guy” for the state.

“Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is a disloyal disaster,” Trump posted online.

Responding to the criticism earlier this week, Cassidy told reporters, “I don’t really think President Trump likes me that much. But we work really well together.”