Trump-backed Julia Letlow wins Louisiana Republican Senate runoff

President Donald Trump's preferred choice in the Louisiana run-off for U.S. Senate prevailed June 27, a mere six weeks after ending Sen. Bill Cassidy's career that further bent the Republican Party to the administration's will.

Within 40 minutes of the polls closing, Rep. Julia Letlow was projected to defeat John Fleming, the state's treasurer, in a bitter primary battle, according to NBC News and Decision Desk HQ.

The victory marks another chapter in the 45-year-old congresswoman's meteoric rise fueled largely by Trump's weighty endorsement. She joined Congress in 2021, replacing her husband, Luke, the year after he died of COVID-19 complications before taking office.

Letlow previously worked in higher education as a university administrator and was a finalist for University of Louisiana at Monroe president.

Earlier this year, Trump encouraged Letlow to run against Cassidy, whose chief offense was voting to convict the president during his second impeachment trial following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol building.

"Should she decide to enter this race, Julia Letlow has my complete and total endorsement," Trump said in a Jan. 17 post on social media.

Outside of the president, Letlow had raked in endorsements from various other GOP leaders in Washington such as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, of Louisiana along with Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Katie Britt of Alabama.

Louisiana Democrats also finalized their nomination, selecting farmer Jamie Davis, according to NBC News and DDHQ. But the Pelican State is rated as a solid GOP seat by most political forecasters in the fall.

This story will be updated.

Contributing: Greg Hilburn, Jay Stahl