Congresswoman Julia Letlow has won the Louisiana Republican Senate runoff, the Associated Press projected Saturday evening. The race featured two staunch conservatives who both emphasized their loyalty to President Donald Trump.

As of 9:47 p.m. EDT, with 39% of the expected vote counted, Letlow had secured approximately 55% of the vote, defeating Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming, who garnered about 45%, according to AP projections.

In her victory speech in Baton Rouge, Letlow, who largely campaigned on Trump's endorsement, declared herself a "battle-tested" candidate ready for the general election. She expressed strong praise for the president, calling him the "greatest president this country has ever had."

Letlow's victory represents another success for President Trump's endorsement strategy in this midterm cycle. She had previously led the Republican primary on May 16 with about 45% of the vote, ahead of Fleming's 28%. Notably, two-term incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy trailed with about 25% of the vote, having been eliminated from contention.

Letlow first gained political prominence in 2021 when she won a special election for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. Her entry into politics followed the death of her husband from COVID-19 complications shortly after he had been elected to represent the district.

Fleming, a physician and former congressman who also held positions in Trump's first administration, ran a campaign closely aligned with the president, though he did not secure Trump's endorsement. Fleming had previously indicated a positive relationship with the president.

President Trump had actively urged Louisianans to vote against Senator Cassidy in the primary due to Cassidy's 2021 vote to convict Trump following the January 6th insurrection. The two also recently clashed over Cassidy's vote to limit presidential war powers concerning Iran.

Some analysts suggested that Cassidy's removal from the ballot might have decreased voter motivation for the runoff. Republican strategist Lionel Rainey III noted that the primary objective for some voters – to oppose Cassidy – was no longer a factor.