Jeff Landry / Republicans: Baton Rouge, La. — Atty. Republican Gen. Jeff Landry, backed by former President Trump, has won Louisiana’s governor’s race, a major win for the GOP as they reclaim the seat for the first time in eight years. Landry will replace incumbent Governor John Bel Edwards, who was unable to seek re-election due to consecutive term limits. In the Deep South, Edwards is the only Democratic governor.
Jeff Landry Republican Wins in Louisiana
The election “says our state is one,” Landry said during his victory speech Saturday night. It’s a wake-up call and a message that everyone should hear clearly, saying that going forward, we, the people of this state, will demand more of our government.
Landry avoided an expected runoff under the state’s “jungle primary” system, garnering more than half the votes. The last times Louisiana did not have a gubernatorial runoff were in 2011 and 2007, when Republican Bobby Jindal won the state’s top seat.
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The newly elected governor hailed the win as “historic” as he celebrated with supporters during a watch party in Broussard, Louisiana.
Since taking office in 2016, Landry, 52, has improved the reputation of the office of attorney general. He has promoted conservative policy stances while in office. More recently, Landry has been in the news for her involvement in and staunch support for a Louisiana law that bans some medical care for transgender youth, the state’s nearly total abortion ban with no exceptions for misbehave cases. and adultery, and legislation restricting youth access to “misbehave explicit material” in libraries, which opponents fear will target LGBTQ+ books.
Landry has repeatedly clashed with Edwards over issues including LGBTQ rights in the state, state finances and the death penalty. However, Republicans also frequently put Louisiana in the national fray, including President Biden’s policies that limit oil and gas production and mandates for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Landry spent two years on Capitol Hill, beginning in 2011, where he represented Louisiana’s 3rd US Congressional District. Prior to entering politics, Landry worked as an attorney, police officer, and deputy sheriff for 11 years in the Louisiana Army National Guard.
During the gubernatorial election season, Landry was long considered an early front-runner, winning controversial early endorsements from high-profile Republicans — Trump and U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise — and the state GOP. In addition, Landry has enjoyed a larger fundraising advantage than the rest of the field throughout the race.
Landry has made it clear that one of his top priorities as governor will be addressing crime in urban areas. Republicans have pushed tough-on-crime rhetoric, called for more “transparency” in the justice system, and continue to support the death penalty. The second-highest homicide rate per capita in the US is found in Louisiana.
Along the campaign trail, Landry faced political attacks from opponents on social media and in interviews, calling him a thug and accusing him of backroom deals to gain support. In addition, he came under fire for skipping all but one of the significant televised debates.
