Louisiana U.S. Senate candidate John Fleming told Newsmax on Tuesday that his "conservative voting record is much more MAGA" than that of his Republican primary runoff opponent, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Appearing on Newsmax's "Wake Up America," Fleming, Louisiana's state treasurer and a former congressman, argued that his record aligns more closely with Trump's America First agenda than that of Rep. Julia Letlow ahead of Saturday's Republican runoff.
"I'm one of the founders of the House Freedom Caucus," Fleming said. "I'm much more Trump aligned than Julia Letlow is."
The June 27 runoff will determine the Republican nominee for a U.S. Senate seat after incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy was eliminated in the first round.
While Letlow has secured Trump's endorsement, Fleming is making the case that his years in Congress demonstrate a stronger commitment to conservative principles.
Fleming pointed to his voting record and accused Letlow of supporting policies he said are favored by the political left, including diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
"She backs DEI and other liberal causes," Fleming said, adding that Letlow supported a 2023 U.S. Agency for International Development funding bill under then-President Joe Biden that he characterized as promoting "woke activities" overseas.
During the interview, the hosts highlighted comments Letlow made while interviewing for a university leadership position in 2020.
In the remarks, she advocated for creating a fully staffed diversity, equity, and inclusion division at the University of Louisiana Monroe.
Fleming said those comments are consistent with her voting record in Congress.
He cited a vote on an amendment related to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that sought to remove DEI provisions.
"She voted against the amendment that would have DEI out of the FAA," Fleming said. "I don't want my airline pilot being hired on anything other than merit and their capabilities."
The race has attracted national attention because it pits a Trump-endorsed candidate against a longtime conservative who argues that his policy positions are more closely aligned with the president's agenda.
Recent election cycles have shown that Trump's endorsement remains a powerful force in Republican primaries, although some endorsed candidates have fallen short in competitive races.
Fleming told Newsmax that Louisiana voters ultimately will decide based on the candidates' records and their commitment to conservative values.
Republican voters head to the polls Saturday in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched GOP runoff contests of the year.
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