WASHINGTON — President Trump preemptively endorsed a possible GOP major foe of incumbent Sen. Invoice Cassidy, a educated gastroenterologist who has been apprehensive about among the administration’s vaccine and medical insurance policies.
The president inspired Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) to leap into the race for Senate, hailing the mom of two as a “TOTAL WINNER” and “great individual.”
“I’m listening to that Julia is contemplating launching her Marketing campaign for the USA Senate in Louisiana, a spot I really like and WON BIG, six instances,” Trump posted on Reality Social Saturday.
“Ought to she resolve to enter this Race, Julia Letlow has my Full and Complete Endorsement. RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!”
Cassidy (R-La.) launched his reelection bid final 12 months and affirmed his dedication to working Saturday regardless of the president’s stamp of approval for Letlow.
“I’m proudly working for re-election as a principled conservative who will get issues performed for the folks of Louisiana. If Congresswoman Letlow decides to run I’m assured I’ll win,” he posted on X after Trump’s preemptive endorsement.
Cassidy, who chairs the influential Senate Committee on Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pensions (HELP), had spent months angling to keep away from having Trump defect to a major problem.
Final 12 months, he begrudgingly voted for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to function Well being and Human Companies Secretary. Cassidy has since sidestepped questions on whether or not or not he regrets his vote, given a few of his variations with the Kennedy scion on vaccines.
Regardless of working to fix fences and have a constructive working relationship with Trump, Cassidy beforehand rankled the president by calling on him to drop out of the 2024 election within the wake of his indictment within the Mar-a-Lago labeled paperwork case.
Cassidy was additionally one in every of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump throughout his second impeachment within the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
The Louisiana senator, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are the one three of that cohort nonetheless within the Senate.
Below Trump’s second time period, nevertheless, Cassidy has backed the president on key votes similar to warfare powers resolutions and measures to rein in his use of tariffs.
Final week, Cassidy pushed for the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) to revive safeguards on using mifepristone, a part of a two-drug routine for medical abortions.
Previous to Trump’s shock endorsement on Saturday, Cassidy gave the impression to be on a glidepath to profitable a 3rd time period within the Senate. Trump avoided bashing him immediately in his nod for Letlow.
Cassidy enjoys the backing of GOP management within the Senate and the Republicans’ official Senate marketing campaign arm, the Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). He additionally has a roughly $11 million warfare chest.
In the meantime, Letlow has been coy about whether or not she’s going to enter the race, as rumors unfold for months that she was eyeing it.
“I’m honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and belief. My mission is evident: to make sure the nation our youngsters inherit is safer and stronger,” Letlow posted on X in response to Trump’s advocacy.
“This United States Senate seat belongs to the folks of Louisiana, as a result of we deserve conservative management that won’t waver.”
