Sen. Bill Cassidy is running for reelection on the legislative achievements he says he secured while working with President Trump, even as the president backs one of his primary challengers.
In his first ad of the 2026 cycle, Mr. Cassidy highlights his role in passing legislation targeting the nation’s fentanyl crisis, which he says caused enough deaths each year to fill Tiger Stadium at Louisiana State University.
“I wrote the HALT Fentanyl Act to put tough new penalties on criminals who manufacture and distribute this evil drug,” Mr. Cassidy says in the “Tiger Stadium” ad. “President Trump said it was the most important legislation he would sign this year. It puts drug dealers in prison and saves innocent lives.”
Mr. Trump’s influence looms large over Mr. Cassidy’s push for a third term.
Rep. Julia Letlow launched her campaign last week after the president encouraged her to enter the U.S. Senate race.
She is running as an “America First” Republican and promoting her steadfast support for Mr. Trump.
“I’m grateful for the courageous leadership of our president,” Ms. Letlow said in her launch video. “I have witnessed firsthand how President Trump is taking on the swamp and delivering for the American people.”
“Louisiana deserves conservative champions — leaders who will not flinch,” she said.
The 44-year-old mother now holds the House seat previously held by her husband, Luke Letlow, who died due to complications from COVID-19 in 2020.
Mr. Cassidy, 68, remains confident in his record.
“I will hold my record up with anybody,” Mr. Cassidy recently told Louisiana First News, adding that the “crux of the campaign will not be about endorsements.”
“The crux of the campaign is how you make Louisiana and the United States a better place,” he said.
Known for rewarding allies and punishing Republicans who break with him, Mr. Trump has been at odds with Mr. Cassidy since the senator voted to convict him during his second impeachment trial in 2021.
Mr. Cassidy is one of the three remaining Senate Republicans who voted to convict Mr. Trump for inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“Our Constitution and our country is more important than any one person,” Mr. Cassidy said at the time. “I voted to convict President Trump because he is guilty.”
After the Senate’s vote, the Louisiana GOP said in a statement that its executive committee unanimously voted for Mr. Cassidy to be censured.
More recently, Mr. Cassidy aired concerns about the “incredibly disturbing” fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. This time, however, he is joined by an array of Republican lawmakers who criticized the shooting, and Mr. Trump on Monday began to reorganize the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
