Julia Letlow and John Fleming are the two candidates left standing after Saturday's Republican senate primary.
Letlow carried 45 percent of the vote to take first place. Fleming took 28 percent of the vote, edging out incumbent Bill Cassidy for the second runoff spot by about 14,000 votes.
One analyst says Letlow is in a comfortable spot heading into the runoff.
"She's in a good position--not a sure position, but she's in a great position--to be the next senator from the state of Louisiana," University of Louisiana at Monroe political science professor Josh Stockley said.
Stockley says President Trump's endorsement of Letlow is what carried her to the 45-percent threshold in Saturday's primary. According to Stockley, Letlow will beat Fleming if she keeps emphasizing her relationship with the President.
"(She and her team need to) stick to the script (and) stick with Trump and hope that there's nothing out there that hasn't been released yet," Stockley said. "That messaging got her to 45 percent in a crowded field. There's no reason to think that she needs to deviate in any fashion whatsoever over the next 30 days."
Stockley also noted that Trump's popularity among Louisiana's conservative voters should continue to carry Letlow in the days leading up to the runoff.
"A lot of his endorsements right now are running very well, so count Louisiana solidly in Trump's pocket at this point," Stockley said.
Still, Stockley says Letlow can't take anything for granted, especially considering a number of statewide primary election winners in recent years have lost in their respective runoffs. Stockley noted that Fleming could capitalize on any Letlow misstep to steal some of her support and make a push for an upset in the runoff.
"Letlow should have some natural concern," Stockley said. "Letlow's in a strong position. She will still have to play a smart race. She will still have to spend wisely (and) monitor her actions."
In the Democratic runoff, Waterproof farmer Jamie Davis will take on New Orleans businessman Gary Crockett. Davis claimed 47 percent of the closed primary vote in that race. Crockett took 26 percent, claiming the second runoff spot by only 284 votes over Nick Albares.
