Jeff Landry: Trump-backed GOP candidate wins Louisiana governor's race ending eight-year Democratic regime
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA: In a historic turn of events, Louisiana has chosen a Republican candidate, Jeff Landry, who was elected the state's Attorney General in 2015, as its governor for the first time in eight years.
Backed by former President Donald Trump, Landry successfully navigated a crowded field of candidates in his bid to become the state's next leader
The victory marks a major shift in Louisiana's political landscape as the new governor takes the helm from John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, who was prevented from seeking re-election due to term limits.
Jeff Landry's win brings triumph to the GOP and Donald Trump's backing
Jeff Landry's victory is significant for the Republican Party as he gets to reclaim a state where Democratic leadership has prevailed for nearly a decade.
He secured 52 percent of the votes, avoiding a runoff election under the state's unique "jungle primary" system. His closest Democratic rival, Shawn Wilson, was able to only get about 26 percent of the votes.
Landry has consistently championed conservative policy positions during his tenure. His stances on issues like gender-affirming medical care for transgender teens and abortion rights without exceptions for rape and incest have garnered significant attention and debate.
He has also expressed support for laws restricting youths' access to explicit material in libraries, a move that raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates.
The governor-elect's confrontations with his predecessor, John Bel Edwards, were not limited to ideological differences as the two have clashed on a range of issues, including LGBTQ rights, state finances, and the death penalty, as per NPR.
Landry has also placed Louisiana on the national stage by opposing President Joe Biden's policies related to oil and gas production and Covid-19 vaccine mandates.
Before his role as the state's Attorney General, Landry spent two years representing Louisiana's 3rd US Congressional District in Capitol Hill, beginning in 2011. His career prior to entering politics included 11 years of service in the Louisiana Army National Guard, as well as work as a local police officer, sheriff's deputy, and attorney.
Throughout the gubernatorial race, he maintained his position as the frontrunner, earning endorsements from influential Republicans like Trump and Rep Steve Scalise. Landry also benefited from a substantial fundraising advantage over his competitors.
One of his central priorities as governor is addressing urban crime, having advocated for a tougher stance on crime and calling for increased transparency in the justice system and continued support for capital punishment as Louisiana grapples with one of the nation's highest murder rates per capita.
Jeff Landry faced campaign controversies
Jeff Landry's campaign for the race for Louisiana governor wasn't without controversy. He faced political attacks on social media and in interviews, with opponents labeling him a bully and accusing him of backroom deals to secure support.
Additionally, his decision to skip most of the major televised debates drew scrutiny.
Among the other candidates on the ballot were GOP state Sen Sharon Hewitt, independent candidate Hunter Lundy, Republican state Treasurer John Schroder, former head of a powerful business group Stephen Waguespack, and Shawn Wilson, a former head of Louisiana's Transportation and Development Department and the sole major Democratic candidate.
The election also featured statewide contests for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and treasurer, along with four ballot measures.
In the attorney general race, Liz Baker Murrill, a Republican, and Lindsey Cheek, a Democrat, have advanced to a November runoff. Meanwhile, the state treasurer race will see John Fleming, a Republican, face off against Dustin Granger, a Democrat.
In addition, hundreds of localized races, including all 39 Senate seats and 105 House seats, were on the ballot. Notably, a significant number of incumbents ran unopposed in these elections, as per the Associated Press.