All Eyes on Letlow as Emerson Prepares to Join Cassidy Challenge

Louisiana’s 2026 Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in the country. Senator Bill Cassidy, once seen as untouchable, now looks increasingly vulnerable as a wave of conservative challengers gathers against him.

State Rep. Julie Emerson of Carencro said this week that she is “likely” to enter the race if U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow decides not to run. Emerson is already getting encouragement from across the state, telling reporters, “We have a lot of issues wrong with Louisiana and the United States. Sometimes those choices are hard but have to be made. I know how to work with any of my colleagues, and I have a strong conservative voting record.”

Cassidy, who is seeking a third term, is already facing three major Republican opponents: Treasurer John Fleming, State Sen. Blake Miguez, and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. That alone would signal a tough reelection. But Cassidy’s greatest liability remains his 2021 vote to convict President Trump after January 6th. Though he claimed it was a “vote of conscience,” that decision severed his bond with the Republican grassroots, triggered an immediate censure from the state GOP, and left him exposed in a state where Trump remains overwhelmingly popular.

The Letlow Factor

The real suspense, however, centers on Congresswoman Julia Letlow. A rising star in Louisiana politics, Letlow is weighing her future—whether to continue in the House, pursue an opening in higher education leadership, or challenge Cassidy directly. Sources say Governor Jeff Landry has privately encouraged her to take on the Senate race, and she is said to be prayerfully considering her options.

If Letlow jumps in, she would instantly become Cassidy’s most formidable challenger, reshaping the race overnight. If she passes, Emerson could quickly become the conservative consensus candidate. The two women are close political allies and have reportedly discussed their plans.

Emerson’s Conservative Record

At 37, Emerson has built a reputation as a policy driver in Baton Rouge. As chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, she shepherded key tax reforms, including flattening corporate rates and abolishing the unpopular franchise tax. She pushed through Louisiana’s move away from the “jungle primary” system toward closed primaries—aligning state elections with national conservative priorities. She also championed school choice legislation, giving parents more control over their children’s education.

This record gives Emerson a ready-made platform: lower taxes, more opportunity, and strong conservative principles. It also contrasts sharply with Cassidy, who has spent the last several years attempting to mend fences with Trump and the Republican base after turning against him when it mattered most.

The Path Forward

Qualifying begins in January, with primaries set for April. Insiders say Trump’s endorsement will be the decisive factor—whether it goes to Letlow, Emerson, or another challenger. For Cassidy, that means the next few months are critical. He was once Trump’s ally, but his vote to convict remains a scar that Republican voters have not forgotten.

The Louisiana Senate race is no longer about whether Cassidy will face a challenge. The only question now is which conservative leader—Julia Letlow or Julie Emerson—will emerge as the one to end his career.