Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is striving to become a significant political influencer by supporting Rep. Julia Letlow’s Senate campaign, but his actions are causing friction among other Republicans in the state.
As a first-term GOP governor, Landry has emerged as a key player in President Donald Trump’s efforts to challenge those deemed disloyal, including Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.). Landry has not only endorsed Letlow publicly but also assigned his chief of staff to assist her campaign. Additionally, he has been privately encouraging major donors to contribute financially to Letlow’s cause, as reported by six individuals familiar with his tactics.
However, Landry’s assertive approach is frustrating Louisiana Republicans, who feel he is overreaching to support a candidate struggling to secure a clear lead, especially with the emergence of another MAGA-backed contender, State Treasurer John Fleming.
Several GOP lawmakers, strategists, and party leaders have expressed their long-standing frustration over Landry’s forceful tactics concerning his legislative agenda, viewing the Senate race as another instance of his aggressive strategy.
“We’re in some crazy territory where there are yes men all around the governor, and they don’t do anything he doesn’t want them to do, and they do everything he wants them to do,” said Kelby Daigle, St. Martin GOP parish chair, a Cassidy supporter.
A prominent Louisiana businessperson, speaking anonymously, recounted that Landry urged numerous executives during a conference call to donate to Letlow. The person, a Cassidy supporter, promptly disconnected from the call.
“Governor Landry has gone all-in on Letlow and is pot committed at this point,” said a Louisiana Republican strategist, also speaking anonymously. “It’s a gamble that could pay off big or drain his political capital.”
The primary on May 16 is expected to lead to a run-off, with any combination of candidates potentially advancing. Polling indicates Letlow holds a slight lead over Fleming, with Cassidy in third place.
Securing Letlow’s victory would significantly enhance Landry’s standing with the White House, which is focused on removing Cassidy, who alienated the MAGA base with his 2021 impeachment vote against Trump. However, Landry’s own effectiveness as a messenger is in question due to his declining approval ratings in Louisiana, which fell to 43 percent in March from 58 percent the previous year. His reputation as a transactional governor is also wearing down other Republican leaders.
“All this is him thinking that he can rig certain outcomes as a toady for the President,” said another GOP operative not affiliated with any Senate campaigns. The operative noted that “people in Louisiana are fiercely independent. They don’t want to be told what to do.”
Neither Landry nor the White House responded to requests for comment.
Katherine Thordahl, Letlow’s campaign spokesperson, dismissed the narrative as “absurd,” asserting that while Landry is a friend and ally, he does not control Letlow’s campaign. She described the claims as a desperate attempt by opponents to create confusion due to their lagging position in the race.
Letlow, who was first elected to the House to fill the seat of her late husband, who died from Covid in 2020 just before taking office, is the first Republican woman from Louisiana to serve in Congress. She has garnered support from both Trump and the Make America Healthy Again movement, which has pledged $1 million through its PAC, despite Cassidy’s efforts to label her as insufficiently conservative due to her past support for diversity initiatives in higher education.
Landry, a close White House ally, has expanded his national presence since becoming governor in 2024. Trump appointed him special envoy to Greenland last year, and he was among the first Republican governors to welcome federal agents to their states when the U.S. Border Patrol was sent to New Orleans.
In Louisiana, however, Republicans say Landry has fostered a climate of fear, drawing comparisons to Huey Long, a former governor known for his populist politics. Few dare to oppose him openly. “Often people in his own party get punished more than the Democrats,” noted state Rep. Aimee Freeman, a Democrat.
Landry is known for his forceful approach in the state legislature, using his line-item veto to punish those who oppose his priorities. Last year, he eliminated 16 spending projects in districts represented by GOP lawmakers who voted against his top legislative priority.
In another demonstration of his power, Landry postponed the state’s House races from May 16 to mid-July after the Supreme Court rejected Louisiana’s congressional map, causing disruption in the election process.
“This is unchecked power,” noted Daigle, the GOP parish chair, regarding Landry’s decision to suspend House elections, which occurred after more than 42,000 ballots were cast. “We are in what I would say is some dangerous territory here, constitutionally speaking.”
Landry’s critics within the GOP view the Senate race as another example of him wielding his influence forcefully, from encouraging major donors to support Letlow to criticizing Cassidy at every opportunity.
Landry was instrumental in the 2024 decision to change the state’s electoral system from a single primary open to all voters to closed partisan primaries. This move was seen as a strategy to defeat Cassidy, whose support from the base has weakened. Cassidy now needs to win over the primary voters without relying on Democrats and other groups that previously boosted his numbers.
Cassidy’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Letlow could benefit from a boost, as her campaign funds are less than a quarter of Cassidy’s available resources. Her opponents have capitalized on Landry’s involvement. Cassidy has filed an FEC complaint accusing Landry’s top fundraiser of campaign finance violations when soliciting donations for Letlow. Fleming has charged Landry with orchestrating negative ads targeting his immigration record and opposition to carbon sequestration. Landry and his top fundraiser, Courtney Guastella, have not publicly addressed these allegations or responded to requests for comment.
Thordahl, Letlow’s spokesperson, clarified that Landry asked Guastella to assist Letlow because he believes she will support President Trump and work for Louisiana. She emphasized that Guastella does not officially work for Letlow’s campaign.
In an interview, Fleming stated that voters are not persuaded by the attacks against him, citing his position in the race. He and Landry have clashed over his Senate bid, with Fleming accusing the governor of thwarting his efforts to communicate with the White House about his campaign.
Fleming also alleged that Letlow’s campaign attempted to entice him with a job at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to withdraw from the race, a claim the Letlow campaign denies.
“So it just goes to show you really how desperate they are to try to get her elected,” Fleming said.
Despite the controversy, Landry has supporters within the Louisiana GOP. State Sen. Alan Seabaugh expressed no objection to Landry using his influence to shape the Senate race outcome or to veto legislation as he sees fit.
“He’s the governor. That is his authority,” Seabaugh stated. “Why Letlow? He desperately doesn’t want Bill Cassidy to get reelected.”
Kelsey Brugger contributed reporting.
