Representative Julia Letlow has won the Republican Senate runoff election in Louisiana, the Associated Press projected Saturday evening. The Trump-endorsed candidate defeated Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming in a competitive race that saw both staunch conservatives campaigning on their loyalty to the president.

As of 9:47 p.m. EDT, with 39% of the vote counted, Letlow held approximately 55% of the vote compared to Fleming's 45%. The victory represents a significant win for President Donald Trump and his influence in the midterm election cycle.

In her victory speech in Baton Rouge, Letlow embraced the "fighter" persona and expressed strong admiration for President Trump, calling him "the greatest president this country has ever had." She acknowledged the race's difficulty, stating she is "truly battle-tested" and ready to "go win this thing" in the general election.

Letlow's win further solidifies Trump's endorsement record this cycle. In the May 16 Republican primary, she also led, securing about 45% of the vote, while Fleming garnered approximately 28%. Notably, the two-term incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy, who was also on the ballot, received about 25% of the vote and was eliminated.

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 tragic death of her husband from COVID-19 complications before he could assume office after being elected to represent the same district.

Fleming, a physician and former congressman who held positions in Trump's first administration, ran a campaign closely aligned with the president, despite not securing Trump's official endorsement. He previously indicated a positive relationship with the president.

President Trump had actively campaigned against Senator Cassidy, urging voters to reject him due to his vote to convict the president following the January 6th events. Trump and Cassidy had recently clashed over the senator's vote to limit presidential powers concerning the war in Iran.

Some analysts suggest that with Senator Cassidy out of the race, voter motivation for the runoff might have decreased for some Louisianans who had initially turned out primarily to vote against the incumbent. However, political science professor Robert Hogan noted that Letlow was well-positioned to win entering the race.