Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy downplays Trump's backing of GOP rival

Sen. Bill Cassidy filed for re-election for Louisiana's May primary and downplayed President Trump's endorsement of his GOP rival, Rep. Julia Letlow.

Sen. Bill Cassidy filed paperwork Friday to run in Louisiana's May primary and said President Donald Trump's endorsement of Rep. Julia Letlow is unlikely to decide the race. The contest has been framed as a test of whether Cassidy can remain in the Republican Party after his 2021 impeachment conviction vote. Cassidy pointed to his record delivering for Louisiana and emphasized work he has done alongside Trump. He has also taken steps to rebuild ties with Trump loyalists, including casting a key vote to advance a Cabinet nomination. Key facts: - Cassidy formally filed for re-election ahead of Louisiana's May primary and described his record as the central issue. - Former President Trump endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow before she officially declared her candidacy. - Cassidy voted to convict Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial and was later censured by Louisiana Republicans. - Cassidy has sought to mend relations with Trump allies and cast the decisive vote to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Health and Human Services secretary. - Major Democrats, including former Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mitch Landrieu, declined to run for the Senate seat ahead of the filing deadline. Summary: The May primary will determine who advances in a race viewed as a measure of Trump's influence within the state GOP. With top Democrats choosing not to mount a high-profile challenge, the contest will be decided largely among Republican candidates. The immediate next milestone is the May primary.