Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) announced on Jan. 20, 2026, that she will run to represent Louisiana in the U.S. Senate in 2026 rather than for another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) is also running in the Republican primary.

As of Jan. 20, 2026, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the 2026 general election for the district as Solid Republican. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican.

On her campaign, Letlow said, "I have fought alongside President Trump to put America first. [...] A state as conservative as ours? We shouldn't have to wonder how our Senator will vote when the pressure's on. Louisiana deserves conservative champions, leaders who will not flinch."

In 2021, Letlow won her first term in the U.S. House in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District. The district became vacant after Letlow's husband, Rep.-elect Luke Letlow (R-La.), died from complications related to COVID-19 before being seated in the 117th Congress. In the special election, Letlow defeated 11 other candidates with 64.9% percent of the vote.

Letlow won re-election in 2022 with 67.6% of the vote and in 2024 with 62.9% of the vote.

As of Jan. 20, 2026, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the 2026 general election for the district as Solid Republican. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican.

As of Jan. 20, 2026, Letlow is one of 57 members of the U.S. Congress — nine U.S. Senate members and 48 U.S. House members — who have announced they will not seek re-election to their current seats in 2026.

Of the 48 U.S. House incumbents who are not seeking re-election:

• Twenty-one — 13 Democrats and eight Republicans — are retiring from public office.
• Fifteen — seven Democrats and eight Republicans — are running for the U.S. Senate.
• Eleven — one Democrat and 10 Republicans — are running for governor.
• One Republican is running for state attorney general.

Compared to the last four election cycles, there were 40 retirement announcements at this point in 2024, 41 in 2022, 34 in 2020, and 42 in 2018.

Between January 2011 to January 2026, Ballotpedia followed 348 announcements from U.S. House members who announced they would not seek re-election. January had the highest number of members announcing they would not run for re-election at 57. The fewest announcements took place in June at 15.