Steve Scalise

U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise on Monday endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow in the race for U.S. Senate, two days after Letlow ousted Sen. Bill Cassidy.

“Julia Letlow is a strong conservative fighter who has consistently delivered for Louisiana families, and for President Trump,” Scalise said in a news release. “Julia shares the values that make Louisiana strong, and I trust her to be a powerful voice for our state in the United States Senate.”

The quick endorsement by Scalise, the Jefferson Parish Republican who is the number-two leader in the House, provides the first indication that Louisiana’s Republican establishment may coalesce behind Letlow after her convincing win in Saturday’s GOP primary election.

Letlow won 45% of the vote and will compete in a June 27 runoff against state Treasurer John Fleming, who got 28%. Cassidy got 25% of the vote, eliminating him from the race.

Letlow already has the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who never forgave Cassidy for voting to convict him of impeachment after the 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol. Gov. Jeff Landry has also publicly backed her and privately raised money for her.

“Leader Scalise has been a fearless conservative leader for Louisiana and our country, and I’m grateful for his mentorship and support in this race,” Letlow said in the release. “Louisiana deserves a senator who will stand with President Trump, fight for our conservative values, and deliver real results for our state. That’s exactly what I will do in the United States Senate.”