John Fleming Tries to Upset Trump-Backed Julia Letlow in Louisiana Senate Runoff as Polls Tighten
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 27
John Fleming Tries to Upset Trump-Backed Julia Letlow in Louisiana Senate Runoff as Polls Tighten
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 27
Summary
John Fleming entered Saturday’s Louisiana Senate runoff arguing he is the more authentic MAGA candidate despite Donald Trump’s endorsement of Rep. Julia Letlow.
Trump reinforced that backing with a Thursday tele-town hall for Letlow, but Fleming has tied himself to Trump’s agenda, says he was “MAGA before MAGA was cool,” and has self-funded about $11 million.
Letlow carried 52 of 64 parishes in the first round and led Fleming 44% to 28% in May, yet recent polling shows a near-dead heat, with one Fleming poll putting him up 5 points and a pro-Letlow poll showing her ahead by 2.
Low turnout could favor Fleming’s more motivated grassroots base, which is also energized by his opposition to carbon-capture projects and concerns over health risks and eminent-domain seizures.
A Fleming win would add to recent cases in Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina suggesting Trump’s endorsement no longer guarantees victory in Republican contests.