Amid a challenging political landscape, Bill Cassidy is seemingly dismissing the gravity of his situation.
Five years have passed since Cassidy voted to convict President Donald Trump during his impeachment trial related to election denialism and the January 6 Capitol riot. Today, he’s contending with challenges from Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) and GOP State Treasurer John Fleming in a pivotal Louisiana primary, which serves as the next stage in Trump’s political retaliation.
In a Saturday interview with POLITICO, Cassidy appeared somewhat out of touch with his predicament, repeatedly referring to Letlow as “my opponent,” while omitting mention of Fleming, and expressing dissatisfaction with the state’s decision to adopt a closed party primary in 2024.
Should Trump’s efforts to unseat Cassidy succeed, it might introduce another dissenter into the Senate, one with potential grievances against Trump.
However, Cassidy insists he is not dwelling on this possibility. When questioned about potentially opposing Trump in his remaining time in office if he loses and aligns with other defiant Republicans, Cassidy expressed confidence.
“I’m going to win today,” he stated. “I may face a runoff. But I will always act in the best interest of my country and my people.”
If no candidate achieves over 50 percent of the vote today, the leading two candidates will proceed to a runoff on June 27. Recent surveys indicate a competitive three-way race, with most placing Cassidy in third, trailing Letlow and Fleming, another candidate aligned with Trump’s agenda.
Cassidy spoke with POLITICO by phone before starting his Election Day activities, following a wedding on Friday evening. He discussed his plans to enhance affordability and criticized Letlow for her opposition to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“I don’t quite know why, but it takes courage. You need to know what’s right and have the courage to act accordingly, and that’s what I possess,” Cassidy remarked. “I’ve demonstrated that. That’s the essence of this race.”
In the final hours before the election results are announced, the senator, who drew Trump’s disapproval over his impeachment vote, voiced concerns about voting issues.
Cassidy reiterated his worries regarding Louisiana’s transition to a closed primary system, sharing with Playbook that he had spoken to a “No Party” voter who attempted to vote for him but was unable to. Cassidy stated he is in contact with Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landy, who is looking into the matter. “We can’t comment on Senator Cassidy’s claim without specific details but, as with any claims of voter irregularities, we take them seriously, and would investigate any complaints made to our office,” a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office said in a statement.
“Today, I’m trying to ensure people can exercise their right to vote … in a system seemingly designed to hinder votes for me,” Cassidy explained.
He dismissed the significance of MAHA’s involvement in the primary. “People in our state desire a proven record,” Cassidy noted. “If ‘Making America Healthy Again’ is the goal, I’ve been committed to enhancing our state’s health. If that’s the concern, then I’m your candidate.”
Moreover, Cassidy expressed no remorse for his impeachment vote.
“That is not something I think about,” he stated. “If my opponent is fixated on that, she’s stuck five years ago. I’m focused on five years ahead. If she wants to cling to the past, let her, but by golly, that’s not working towards the future. I’m focused on the future.”
Despite Cassidy’s determination, GOP insiders in Louisiana foresee a grim outcome for him, regardless of his final standing.
“There is almost a 0.0 percent chance that Bill Cassidy is returning to the Senate,” commented an unnamed GOP strategist with Louisiana campaign experience.
“He’s run many ads,” the strategist pointed out, “and the issue with his ads is his presence in them.”
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