Bill Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Published May 17, 2026
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy lost the Louisiana Republican primary after years of criticism from supporters of President Donald Trump over his vote to convict him in his 2021 impeachment trial related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Cassidy failed to garner enough support in the southern state Saturday to advance to a runoff, finishing behind U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming. The two will face off in the second round of voting on June 27th.
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The results underscore Trump’s continued influence over the Republican Party, targeting politicians he views as disloyal, even as he faces mounting political pressure over inflation, declining approval ratings and criticism of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.
Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election. While several Republicans who fell out with Trump chose not to seek re-election, Cassidy campaigned aggressively for re-election to a third and sixth term, outperforming his rivals by a wide margin.
On the morning of the vote, President Trump attacked Cassidy on social media, calling him a “dishonest disaster” and a “terrible man.” Cassidy appeared to be indirectly responding to Trump’s comments in his comments after his loss. “The only time an insult offends me is if it comes from a person of character and integrity,” he told supporters.
He added, “Our country is not about one individual. It’s about the welfare of all Americans, and it’s about the Constitution.”
Meanwhile, LeRoux accepted Trump’s endorsement in his victory speech. “I want to express my gratitude to a very special man, the best president this country has ever had, President Donald Trump,” she said.
She later said Cassidy’s impeachment vote was evidence that he had “turned his back on the voters of Louisiana.” President Trump celebrated Cassidy’s loss online, writing, “That’s what you get when you vote to impeach an innocent person.”
The Louisiana race is the latest in a series in which Mr. Trump has supported efforts to remove Republican opponents. Earlier this month, several Indiana senators who rejected President Donald Trump’s redistricting plan to expand Republicans’ seats in the U.S. Congress also lost their seats.
Saturday’s election was also held in turmoil following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakening parts of the Voting Rights Act related to district maps.
The Senate primary was held as scheduled, but Louisiana officials postponed the U.S. House of Representatives primary to redraw district lines. Civil rights groups challenged the delay, arguing that it violated both the U.S. Constitution and the Louisiana Constitution.
