What Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy's primary loss says about Trump's grip on the GOP

NPR | By Eric McDaniel,

Emily Feng

Published May 17, 2026 at 5:43 PM EDT

GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy's primary loss in Louisiana shows the power of President Trump's opposition. It also highlights the importance of voting rules and maps.

Eric McDaniel

Eric McDaniel edits the NPR Politics Podcast. He joined the program ahead of its 2019 relaunch as a daily podcast.

See stories by Eric McDaniel

Emily Feng

Emily Feng is NPR's Beijing correspondent.

See stories by Emily Feng

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