Trump-backed Letlow wins Louisiana Republican Senate runoff

(The Center Square) — U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana’s Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Saturday, defeating state Treasurer John Fleming in a runoff that became a test of President Donald Trump’s influence over the state GOP.

Letlow will face Democrat Jamie Davis, a northeast Louisiana farmer, in the November general election for the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy. Cassidy, a two-term Republican, was eliminated in the May primary after finishing third behind Letlow and Fleming.

Fleming called Letlow shortly after her win to congratulate her, a conversation Letlow called “wonderful”. She also spoke with President Donald Trump, and said she looks forward to working with him.

In his concession speech, Fleming did not endorse Letlow in the general election. “We want to continue to make America strong by sending the best of the best there and fighting for the freedoms, the things that our founding fathers prepared us for, and it’s up to us to carry that on for the future,” Flemin...