Louisiana Republicans knock Bill Cassidy out of Senate primary

On May 16, 2026, Louisiana Republican primary voters eliminated Sen. Bill Cassidy from reelection contention after Donald Trump backed challengers who attacked Cassidy for voting to convict Trump after January 6. Julia Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a runoff while Cassidy's loss removed one of the few Senate Republicans who had broken with Trump on impeachment. The result became relevant three days later when Cassidy changed his vote on the Iran war-powers discharge effort after losing his own primary (Louisiana Secretary of State results portal; AP; Axios; Louisiana Illuminator; CBS News).