LAGOP Declines Senate Endorsement Despite Fleming’s Grassroots Push

The Republican Party of Louisiana had an opportunity Saturday to weigh in on the

state’s most closely watched political contest, but members of the Republican State Central Committee overwhelmingly chose to stay on the sidelines.

Meeting in Baton Rouge, the Louisiana GOP voted against endorsing either of the remaining candidates in the Republican U.S. Senate runoff: U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming.

The decision is particularly notable because Fleming entered the meeting appearing to have momentum. Earlier this month, a publication out of Washington reveled that he had secured enough signatures from State Central Committee members to obtain the endorsemnt. However, the LAGOP Executive Committee declined to consider the endorsement setting the stage for a showdown between state party leadership and grassroots leaders.

But when the matter came before the full committee, members overwhelmingly rejected the idea of endorsing anyone in the race. Early on in the meeting the Central Committee arrived to an agenda item to take “No Position” in the Senate race. After about an hour of confusion and disruption the body voted in favor of that item by nearly a two thirds margin. The item was put forth by the Executive Committee.

The vote represents a setback for Fleming, who had hoped to demonstrate grassroots party support heading into the final weeks of the runoff campaign. Instead, Republican leaders opted to remain neutral and allow voters to make the decision themselves.

The endorsement battle is the latest chapter in a Senate race that has already produced one of the biggest political upsets of the year. Last month, incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy was eliminated in the Republican primary, leaving Letlow and Fleming to compete in the June 27 runoff for the GOP nomination. President Donald Trump has endorsed Letlow, while Fleming has attempted to consolidate support from conservative activists groups.

With less than two weeks remaining before voters return to the polls, Saturday’s vote signals that Louisiana Republicans are unwilling to have the party apparatus take sides in what has become one of the state’s most competitive intraparty contests in years.

Other Political Developments We’re Watching

• The Senate runoff between Letlow and Fleming enters its final stretch with early voting set to begin soon.

• Gov. Landry has yet to sign the state budget and other fiscal bills recently passed in the legislative session. The Governor is expected to sign these bills shortly

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• Attention is also beginning to shift toward the open 5th Congressional District race, where a crowded Republican field is competing to succeed Letlow should she win the Senate seat.