Louisiana Governor-elect Jeff Landry has been inaugurated, returning the state's highest office to the Republican Party
BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Governor-elect Jeff Landry, a Republican backed by former President Donald Trump and known for his conservative positions on issues such as abortion, was inaugurated Sunday evening — marking a political shift in leadership in a state that last saw a democratic governor has had. eight years.
During his 30-minute speech, Landry called for unity and expressed his love for the Bayou State, while also outlining some of his priorities, including an aggressive response to addressing “uncivilized and outrageous” violent crime and protecting schools from 'the toxicity of unsuitable subject.”
Landry will officially take office as Louisiana's 57th governor at noon on Monday. His inauguration was originally scheduled to take place on Monday, but was postponed until Sunday evening due to weather conditions.
“It is fitting and fitting that we stand before this Capitol today, as the sun sets on the past and a new day dawns in Louisiana,” Landry said during his speech.
Landry took the oath of office on the steps of the Louisiana Capitol as hundreds of people watched. Once Republicans take office tomorrow afternoon, they will hold all elected positions in Louisiana. Furthermore, the Republican Party has a two-thirds supermajority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Among those present at the inauguration were House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Donald Trump Jr., current Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards and former Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal.
The walkways were lined with American flags and thin American flags with blue lines, a symbol that has become associated with Blue Lives Matter — a term used by some police supporters in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Landry, who has a law enforcement background, noted the rows of flags in his speech and said, “We know all too well the sacrifice you make every day and the risk you take to protect us from those who break the laws of society don't want to follow. ”
One of Landry's top priorities once in the governor's mansion will be tackling crime in urban areas. Louisiana has the second highest homicide rate per capita in the country.
Landry has pledged to call a special legislative session to address the issue during his first few months in office. He has pushed a tough approach to crime, calling for more “transparency” in the justice system and continuing to support the death penalty.
“I pledge to do everything I can to make our state safer and end the misguided and deadly tolerance for crime and criminals that plague us,” Landry said Sunday.
Landry, who served eight years as the state's attorney general, won the gubernatorial election in October, beating a crowded field and avoiding a runoff. The victory was a major victory for the Republican Party, which retook the governor's mansion. Edwards was unable to run for re-election due to term limits.
Landry, 53, has raised the profile of attorney general since taking office in 2016, advocating conservative policy positions. He has been in the spotlight for his involvement and staunch support of Louisiana laws that have sparked much debate, including the ban on gender-affirming medical care for young transgender people, the state's near-total abortion ban, and a law that restricts children's access to “sexual sexual acts.” explicit material” in libraries, which opponents fear will target LGBTQ+ books.
“Our people want a government that reflects their values,” Landry said Sunday. “They demand that our children receive an education that reflects these sound principles, and not indoctrination behind their mother's back.”
The governor-elect has been embroiled in national battles over President Joe Biden's policies to limit oil and gas production and mandates for COVID-19 vaccines.
Before serving as attorney general, Landry spent two years on Capitol Hill beginning in 2011, representing Louisiana's Third U.S. Congressional District. Previously, he served 11 years in the Louisiana Army National Guard, was a local police officer, sheriff's deputy and attorney.
In addition to tackling crime, Landry has also promised to organize a special redistricting session once he is in power.
Louisiana lawmakers have until the end of January to draw and pass new congressional boundaries to replace a current map that a federal judge says violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of the state's Black voters.