Louisiana Senate Candidate Letlow's Past DEI Advocacy Raises Questions

Letlow's 2020 comments supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at a university are at odds with her current anti-DEI campaign platform.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:40pm

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Rep. Julia Letlow, the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Louisiana's open U.S. Senate seat, is facing scrutiny over her past advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In a 2020 video from her interview process to become president of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Letlow praised DEI efforts nationwide and said she would prioritize establishing a DEI division on campus if hired. This contrasts with her current campaign platform, where she has vowed to root out DEI policies from schools in Louisiana.

Why it matters

The GOP primary race in Louisiana has become a battle over who is more pro-Trump, with DEI serving as a key point of contention. Letlow's past comments supporting DEI could undermine her current anti-DEI messaging and raise questions about her political convictions among conservative voters.

The details

In the 2020 video, Letlow called the university's record on faculty gender diversity 'shameful' and said she wanted to open the school's first DEI division. Prior to her congressional run, Letlow also helped push DEI initiatives at UL Monroe, including efforts to diversify marketing and communications teams. However, Letlow's campaign has since promised to ensure DEI policies will be 'rooted out' of Louisiana schools if she wins the Senate seat.

  • In 2020, Letlow interviewed for the presidency of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
  • In January 2026, The Daily Caller first reported on Letlow's past DEI advocacy at UL Monroe.

The players

Julia Letlow

The Republican candidate for Louisiana's open U.S. Senate seat, who is endorsed by former President Trump.

Bill Cassidy

The incumbent Republican U.S. Senator from Louisiana, who is running against Letlow in the primary.

University of Louisiana at Monroe

The university where Letlow previously advocated for DEI initiatives during her interview to become president in 2020.

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What’s next

The GOP primary race between Letlow and Cassidy will likely continue to be a heated battle over who is more aligned with Trump's conservative agenda, with Letlow's past DEI advocacy serving as a key point of contention.

The takeaway

This case highlights the political challenges candidates can face when their past statements and actions conflict with their current campaign messaging. Letlow's history of supporting DEI initiatives could undermine her anti-DEI platform and raise doubts about her political convictions among conservative voters in the Louisiana Senate primary.