Senator Bill Cassidy loses Louisiana primary, paving way for Trump-backed Julia Letlow

Senator Bill Cassidy, a leading Republican on health issues, finished third in Louisiana’s Senate primary with about 24.8% of the vote. State treasurer John Fleming received roughly 28%, while Rep. Julia Letlow led with just over 44%, sending the race to a runoff between Fleming and Letlow.

Letlow, who secured President Trump’s endorsement, has become a vocal supporter of Covid-19 vaccines after her husband died from the disease in 2021. Her campaign is framed as a win for the former president’s allies.

Cassidy’s defeat reflects backlash over his 2021 vote to convict Trump for inciting the Jan. 6 attack and his later criticism of anti-vaccine remarks made by health-secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite ultimately confirming the nominee.

The loss of a key health-care legislator could shift the Senate’s approach to health policy, raising uncertainty for pharmaceutical stakeholders as the new senator’s priorities remain to be seen.