In a historic turn of events, Republican Jeff Landry has been elected as the governor of Louisiana, bringing an end to the state's run as the only Democratic-led state in the Deep South. Landry, who is currently serving as the State Attorney General, secured a majority of the votes in the primary, avoiding the need for a general election runoff.[0]
With this victory, Landry becomes the first GOP governor-elect in Louisiana in eight years. He will be the 57th governor of the state and will assume office in January, replacing the outgoing Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards, who is leaving office due to term limits.[1]
Landry's win in the race for Louisiana governor was a significant achievement, considering the crowded field of candidates he faced.[2] The primary included three other GOP candidates, a conservative independent, and a lone Democrat who was expected to force a runoff. However, Landry managed to secure over 51% of the votes, surpassing the threshold that eliminated the need for a runoff election.[0]
During his campaign, Landry garnered significant support from notable Republicans, including former President Donald Trump and U.S. Representative Steve Scalise.[2] Trump's endorsement, in particular, played a crucial role in Landry's victory.[3] The governor-elect's platform aligns with Trump's conservative agenda, as he supports a state law protecting babies from nearly all abortions and a law protecting children from medical attempts to change their sex characteristics.[3]
However, Landry's victory has been met with controversy and criticism. He has been a staunch supporter of several Louisiana laws that have sparked intense debate.[4] These laws include banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths, implementing a near-total abortion ban without exceptions for cases of rape and incest, and restricting youths' access to “sexually explicit material” in libraries, which opponents fear will target LGBTQ+ books.[4]
Despite the criticism, Landry remains resolute in his commitment to his agenda. In his victory speech, he emphasized that the election results were a clear message that the people of Louisiana expect more from their government. He expressed his determination to deliver on those expectations and bring about positive change for the state.
The race for the governorship was not the only significant election in Louisiana. In St. Tammany Parish, incumbent Mike Cooper was re-elected as Parish President after a closely contested race against Greg Cromer.[5] Cooper secured a victory by a margin of just over 1,800 votes.
Overall, the election results in Louisiana have marked a historic shift in the state's political landscape. With Jeff Landry's win, the state has transitioned from Democratic leadership to a Republican governor-elect. This outcome has significant implications for the future of Louisiana's policies and governance. As Landry prepares to take office in January, many will be closely watching to see how he fulfills his promises and leads the state forward.
0. “Republican Gain: Jeff Landry Elected Governor of Louisiana – 270toWin” 270toWin, 15 Oct. 2023, https://www.270towin.com/news/2023/10/15/republican-gain-jeff-landry-elected-governor-louisiana_1538.html
1. “Jeff Landry Wins: Louisiana Black Voters Blamed In Governor Race” NewsOne, 15 Oct. 2023, https://newsone.com/4757476/jeff-landry-black-voters-louisiana/
2. “Louisiana elects Trump-backed Jeff Landry as governor” Axios, 15 Oct. 2023, https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/10/15/jeff-landry-elected-governor-louisiana-primary
3. “Louisiana elects GOP governor | WORLD” WORLD News Group, 16 Oct. 2023, https://wng.org/sift/louisiana-elects-gop-governor-1697419081
4. “LSU Journalism Prof Robert Mann Resigns After Jeff Landry Is Elected Louisiana Governor” The Daily Beast, 16 Oct. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/lsu-journalism-prof-robert-mann-resigns-after-jeff-landry-is-elected-louisiana-governor
5. “Several incumbents keep key local offices in 2023 primary election” WWLTV.com, 15 Oct. 2023, https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/several-local-incumbents-keep-key-offices-in-2023-primary-election/289-0308846f-3dbb-4f2f-a712-e01a31bd1312
