STAT+: Sen. Bill Cassidy loses primary as race heads to run-off in win for Trump

STAT PlusPolitics Sen. Bill Cassidy loses primary as race heads to run-off in win for Trump The top Republican health care leader and physician angered Trump by voting to convict him Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Chelsea CirruzzoMay 17, 2026 Washington Correspondent Chelsea Cirruzzo[email protected]Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. Bill Cassidy, a key Republican health care leader in the Senate, will lose his seat, as Louisiana’s Senate primary heads for a runoff between state treasurer John Fleming and Rep. Julia Letlow, who won President Trump’s endorsement. In initial election results, Letlow leads with just over 44% of the vote, followed by Fleming with just over 28% percent of the vote. Cassidy came in at 24.8% of the vote. The president has endorsed Letlow, a Trump loyalist who became a proponent for the Covid-19 vaccine in 2021 following the death of her husband to Covid. Advertisement Cassidy’s defeat is a win for President Trump and his allies, who have criticized the senator for voting in 2021 to convict the president for inciting the January 6 insurrection. Later, Cassidy came into conflict with the administration when he expressed concerns with anti-vaccine statements made by then-health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before ultimately voting to confirm him. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In Congress, Donald Trump, RFK Jr., STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Chelsea Cirruzzo Washington Correspondent Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended Politics May 16, 2026 Trump blasts ‘disloyal’ Sen. Cassidy while pushing challenger in Louisiana Republican primary First Opinion May 16, 2026 Marty Makary misunderstood something fundamental about the FDA Advertisement Politics May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA drug center head Tracy Beth Høeg leaves as agency faces leadership vacuum Exclusive May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Top U.S. officials pressured Germany to pay more for prescription drugs Politics May 15, 2026 DOJ accuses Yale and UCLA medical schools of discriminating against white and Asian applicants Subscriber Picks