Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is attempting to reshape the state's Senate delegation by backing Rep. Julia Letlow's campaign against incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy, but his aggressive tactics are generating friction within the Louisiana Republican Party ahead of the May 16 primary election.

The first-term GOP governor has publicly endorsed Letlow and dispatched his chief of staff to advise her campaign. According to six people familiar with his efforts, Landry has privately urged major donors to financially support Letlow's bid. Cassidy, a five-term senator, is viewed by MAGA supporters as insufficiently loyal to President Donald Trump following his 2021 impeachment vote.

The primary is likely headed to a runoff, with any combination of candidates potentially qualifying. Polling shows Letlow holding a slight lead over State Treasurer John Fleming, another MAGA-aligned candidate, with Cassidy in third place.

What the Left Is Saying

Democratic lawmakers and strategists have seized on Landry's actions as evidence of his consolidation of power within Louisiana politics. "Often people in his own party get punished more than the Democrats," said state Rep. Aimee Freeman, a Democrat. She pointed to what she described as a culture of fear under Landry's administration.

Critics from across the political spectrum have drawn comparisons between Landry and Huey Long, the former Louisiana governor known for his populist political machine. Letlow campaign spokesperson Katherine Thordahl rejected these characterizations, saying: "Governor Landry is a friend and an ally, but he does not run Congresswoman Julia Letlow's campaign. This is yet another desperate attempt by Rep. Letlow's opponents to muddy the waters because they are losing this race."

What the Right Is Saying

Republican strategists and lawmakers acknowledge that Landry has the right to pursue his political priorities but question whether his aggressive approach is helping or hurting the party's chances in November. "Governor Landry has gone all-in on Letlow and is pot committed at this point," said a Louisiana Republican strategist, granted anonymity to speak freely. "It's a gamble that could pay off big or drain his political capital."

GOP leaders say they are frustrated by what they describe as Landry's attempts to strong-arm the party over legislative priorities. "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," said Kelby Daigle, St. Martin GOP parish chair, who supports Cassidy. One prominent Louisiana businessperson, a Cassidy supporter, said Landry asked dozens of executives on a conference call earlier this year to donate to Letlow, prompting an immediate hang-up.

Another Republican operative not affiliated with any campaign argued that Landry's approach could backfire. "All this is him thinking that he can rig certain outcomes as a toady for the President," the operative said. "The problem for Landry is people in Louisiana are fiercely independent. They don't want to be told what to do."

What the Numbers Show

Landry's political standing has declined significantly since taking office. His approval rating dropped to 43 percent in March, down from 58 percent the previous year, according to polling data cited by Politico.

Letlow holds a slight lead over Fleming in recent polls, with Cassidy trailing third. The Make America Healthy Again movement, which backs Letlow, has pledged $1 million in support through its political action committee.

In contrast, Landry's aggressive tactics extend beyond the Senate race. Last year, he used his line-item veto to eliminate 16 spending projects in districts held by GOP lawmakers who opposed his top legislative priority. He also chose to delay state House races from May 16 to mid-July following the Supreme Court's rejection of Louisiana's congressional map.

Letlow was first elected to the House after filling the seat of her former husband, who died from Covid-19 in 2020 days before being sworn in. She is the first Republican woman to serve in Congress from Louisiana and has secured Trump's endorsement along with support from the Make America Healthy Again movement.

The Bottom Line

Landry's bet on Letlow represents a high-stakes political calculation that could either elevate his national profile or damage his standing within Louisiana's Republican establishment. Success would position him as a key ally of the White House, which has made removing Cassidy a priority due to his 2021 impeachment vote.

The May 16 primary will determine whether Landry's kingmaking strategy resonates with voters or if it alienates Republicans who prize their independence. With polling showing a tight three-way race and a likely runoff ahead, both Letlow's campaign and Landry's political future hang in the balance. The governor and White House did not respond to requests for comment on this story.