Jeff Landry | |
|---|---|
 Landry in 2025 | |
| 57thGovernor of Louisiana | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2024 | |
| Lieutenant | Billy Nungesser |
| Preceded by | John Bel Edwards |
| United States Special Envoy toGreenland | |
| Assumed office December 22, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| 45thAttorney General of Louisiana | |
| In office January 11, 2016 – January 8, 2024 | |
| Governor | John Bel Edwards |
| Preceded by | Buddy Caldwell |
| Succeeded by | Liz Murrill |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromLouisiana's3rd district | |
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Charlie Melançon |
| Succeeded by | Charles Boustany (redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jeffrey Martin Landry (1970-12-23)December 23, 1970 (age 55) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Sharon LeBlanc |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence | Governor's Mansion |
| Education | University of Louisiana at Lafayette (BS) Loyola University New Orleans (JD) |
| Website | Office website Campaign website |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1987–1998 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Louisiana National Guard |
| Awards | Army Achievement Medal Army Commendation Medal Louisiana War Cross |
Jeffrey Martin Landry[a] (born December 23, 1970) is an American politician and attorney serving since 2024 as the 57thgovernor of Louisiana. A member of theRepublican Party, he served from 2016 to 2024 as the 45thattorney general of Louisiana and from 2011 to 2013 as theU.S. representative forLouisiana's 3rd congressional district.
Born inSt. Martinville, Louisiana, Landry graduated from theUniversity of Louisiana, Lafayette andLoyola University New Orleans College of Law. He was a member of theLouisiana National Guard, which he joined while in high school, for 11 years. While in college, Landry worked as a police officer and sheriff's deputy. He ran for a seat in theLouisiana State Senate in 2007 but narrowly lost. He was elected to theU.S. House of Representatives in 2010, serving one term before losing his seat after a federal-court-ordered redistricting.
Landry defeated incumbent Louisiana attorney generalBuddy Caldwell in2015, and was reelectedfour years later with over 66% of the vote. During his tenure, he supportedLouisiana's abortion ban, advocated for prayer in public schools, and challenged GovernorJohn Bel Edwards onLGBT issues. Landry won the2023 Louisiana gubernatorial election with a majority of the vote in the first round. As governor, Landry has signed several criminal justice bills, as well as legislation allowing the carrying of concealed weapons without a permit. He signed legislation requiring that theTen Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms. The law is currently blocked by the courts on the grounds that it violates theEstablishment Clause.
Landry was born inSt. Martinville, Louisiana, on December 23, 1970, to Al and Edna (née Bienvenu) Landry.[2] He is the eldest of four children.[2] His mother was a teacher at Trinity Catholic School in St. Martinville.[2][3] His father was an architect and businessman.[2][3]
Landry graduated fromSt. Martinville High School, where he was awide receiver on thehigh school football team.[2] After graduating from high school, he held various jobs, includingsugarcane farm worker, police officer for thevillage of Parks, and St. Martin Parish sheriff's deputy.[2] He also spent 11 years in theLouisiana Army National Guard.[4]
During his time as a St. Martin Parish deputy, he shared a rental home inSt. Martinville with two friends, one a childhood friend, and the other a fellow deputy. The fellow deputy smuggled about $10,000 worth of cocaine and stashed it underneath their home. Once his roommates caught on to the crime, they turned him in to the police, who executed a search warrant, which Landry signed. After the 1993 search of the home, his roommate lost his job and went to prison.[5] After Landry's opponent in an acrimonious 2010 Republicanprimary election raised the incident,[2][5] District Attorney J. Phil Haney said that Landry was never implicated in any crime, and Landry said he remained a reserve deputy until 2004.[5]
Landry attended theUniversity of Southwestern Louisiana (which later became theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette), graduating in 1999 with anenvironmental science degree.[2] In 2001, he enrolled inSouthern University Law School as a part-time student; he transferred toLoyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2003 as a full-time student, and received hisJ.D. in December 2004.[2] He then became an attorney and businessman inNew Iberia.[5]
In2007, Landry ran for Louisiana's 22nd Senate district when incumbent Republican state senatorCraig Romero wasterm-limited. In the general election, he faced Democraticstate RepresentativeTroy Hebert ofJeanerette; Hebert later declared himself anIndependent. Hebert defeated Landry, 51% to 49%.[6]
Landry entered the race to represent Louisiana's 3rd congressional district after Democratic incumbentCharlie Melancon relinquished the seat to run for U.S. Senate. Landry won the Republican nomination in the October 2runoff election, defeating formerSpeaker of the Louisiana House of RepresentativesHunt Downer ofHouma, Louisiana, 19,657 votes to 10,549 votes (65%–35%).[7]
Louisiana lost a congressional district due to out-migration during HurricanesKatrina andRita. Landry's district was dismantled and its territory split among three neighboring districts.[8] Landry was drawn into the same district as fellow RepublicanCharles Boustany of the neighboring 7th District. The new district retained Landry's district number—the 3rd—but geographically and demographically was more Boustany's district; Landry retained only the western third of his old district.
Citizens United andPhyllis Schlafly'sEagle Forum political action committee endorsed Landry.[9] He led Boustany in third-quarter 2011 fundraising, $251,000 to $218,000. According to theFederal Election Commission, Boustany led in cash on hand, $1.1 million–$402,000.[10]
In the November 6 election, Landry trailed Boustany by 45,596 votes. Boustany led the five-candidate field with 139,123 votes (44.7%); Landry received 93,527 (30%). Democrat Ron Richard procured 67,070 votes (21.5%); and 7,908 votes (2.5%) and 3,765 votes (1.2%) were cast for Republican Bryan Barrilleaux and Libertarian Jim Stark, respectively. Because none of the candidates received a majority, Boustany and Landry went into a runoff contest held on December 8.[11]
Boustany defeated Landry with 58,820 votes (60.9%), to Landry's 37,764 (39.1%). Landry prevailed in three of the ten parishes in the revised district, all of which he then represented, including his home parish of St. Martin, his residence of Iberia, and St. Mary Parish.[12]
During his tenure in Congress, Landry was known as an advocate for theoil and natural gas industry. He heavily criticized PresidentObama, saying, "Republicans continue to criticize the president for being anti-oil. He says that's not true, but his actions don't match his rhetoric."[13]
Landry made national headlines by holding up a sign saying "Drilling=jobs" during Obama's national jobs plan speech in September 2011.[14][15] After theBP oil spill in theGulf of Mexico, Landry opposed the liability cap onBP while supporting the Gulf Hurricane Protection Project.[16]
In a June 2012 appearance on a radio program produced by theAmerican Center for Law and Justice, Landry baselessly claimed that the Obama administration was "granting special status or waivers to Muslims as they go throughTSA screenings."[17] No such religious exemption existed.[18]
In July 2012, Landry made local headlines when he declared his opposition to the establishment of aminor inLGBT studies at theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette, and wrote a letter to the university's president, Joe Savoie, asking him to drop the minor.[19] Savoie declined to do so, writing that the program "did not require budgetary allocations or divert resources from other areas" and that the university had a responsibility to impartially provide "an opportunity for investigation, analysis, and understanding" of controversial social issues.[20]
On February 24, 2014, Landry announced his challenge to Caldwell, who was first elected in 2007 as a Democrat.[21] The Democratic nominee, Geri Broussard Baloney, an African-American lawyer from Garyville, endorsed Landry in the runoff contest. After he assumed office, Landry named Baloney's daughter, Quendi Baloney, to a position in his administration.The Baton Rouge Advocate questioned whether the appointment was made on merit or for political reasons. Landry defended his choice by citing the education and experience of Ms. Baloney, a graduate ofGeorge Washington University andLoyola University New Orleans College of Law who was formerly employed by theUnited States Department of Justice. She investigated housing discrimination byDonald Sterling, the owner of theLos Angeles Clippers. Baloney and her colleagues secured a $2.7 million settlement from Sterling.[22]
In August 2018, Landry indicated that he might forego his bid for reelection as attorney general in2019 and instead challenge Governor John Bel Edwards, who was seeking a second term. Landry said that people everywhere approached him and urged him to seek the governorship. He said he might run unless U.S. SenatorJohn N. Kennedy decided to enter the race, and called upon interested Republican candidates to announce their intentions. Landry had broken with Edwards on numerous political issues, including a 2018 voter referendum on requiring unanimous jury consent forfelony convictions, rather than 10 of 12 jurors. Only Louisiana andOregon have the lower threshold.[23]
In November, Landry announced that he would not run for governor but instead seek reelection as attorney general.[24]
Landry chairs the Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority, which targeted "Republican in Name Only" (RINO) state legislators in the2019 elections. He has said he wants party faithful to rally around conservative orthodoxy, rather than a big tent.[25]
On October 12, 2019, Landry was reelected by a 2–1 margin.[26]
In December 2022, an investigation byThe Advocate revealed that, starting in 2017, Landry misspent campaign funds on part of a car note on a Chevrolet Suburban.[27] The Louisiana Board of Ethics decided not to take any action on the matter because the statute of limitations for action had expired. The $322 monthly payments ended in 2019 and totaled about $11,600.[28]
Landry opposes access to abortion, and argued in favor of Louisiana's abortion ban. He recommended that anyone who disagrees with the policy, without exception for rape or incest or age, move to another state.[29][30]
In August 2022, Landry twice urged the Louisiana State Bond Commission to delay funding for a power station that charges drainage pumps inNew Orleans over the city's decriminalization of abortion following the state'snear-total ban of abortion in July 2022.[31] In September 2022, the commission approved the funding despite Landry's objections.[32]
In August 2012, Landry urged theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette to eliminate its lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender studies minor, arguing that it did not align with the college's mission of preparing students for employment.[33]
In December 2021, Landry urgedLouisiana State University presidentWilliam Tate to take disciplinary action against tenured mass communications professor Robert Mann for referring to one of Landry's staff members, Lauryn Sudduth, as a "flunkie" on Twitter. Mann's tweet read, "Louisiana AG Jeff Landry sending some flunkie to the LSU Faculty Senate meeting today to read a letter attacking covid vaccines is quite the move from a guy who considers himself 'pro-life.'"[34]
Landry has urged bipartisan cooperation onantitrust enforcement, and endorsed PresidentJoe Biden's nomination ofJonathan Kanter asAssistant Attorney General for theAntitrust Division.[35]
Soon after taking office as attorney general, Landry became embroiled in a public dispute with Governor Edwards over a lawsuit regarding theCommon Core State Standards Initiative, which both men opposed. Edwards said the state would drop the appeal of a federal lawsuit to block the implementation of Common Core, declaring the lawsuit moot because of new federal legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act, and a state legislative compromise agreed upon in 2015, the last year of theBobby Jindal administration. Landry first replied that he would review the case and could proceed with the appeal to the federal court. Edwards wrote to Landry: "As in any case the client, not the attorney, should ultimately make the decisions on the course of action, and I have decided this case will not proceed."[36] A few days later, Landry announced that, having reviewed the matter, he would defer to Edwards and drop the suit.[37]
In September 2016, Landry announced that he would block Edwards's attempt to require that state contracts protect gay and lesbian employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Edwards sued Landry over his refusal to approve the contracts. In a press conference, Landry vowed, "I will not cower to executive overreach; rather, I will continue to defend our Constitution and the will of the people." On December 14, 2016, Judge Todd Hernandez of Baton Rouge declared Edwards's order unconstitutional even though Edwards maintained that his directive exempted contractors who are also tied to religious organizations. Landry claimed that Edwards's directive would have established a new "protected class" that does not exist in state law. Landry had already successfully blocked dozens of legal services contracts that included the gay-rights language.[38] He told radio talk show host Moon Griffon that he hoped his legal victory over Edwards would persuade him not to attempt to govern by executive orders to the extent that PresidentBarack Obama did.[39]
In March 2017, Edwards announced that he would appeal the LGBT case Landry won before Judge Hernandez. In a speech inWest Monroe before the Ouachita Republican Women, Landry said that Edwards was "playing petty politics" by seeking cuts in the attorney general's office budget while state highways "continue to fail" and thatU.S. News & World Report declared that Louisiana is "back to being 50th again" and was ranked "the worst state". Landry also said that Edwards voted for most of the Jindal administration's budgets yet continued to claim that he is blameless for the state's ongoing budget crisis, which he sought to resolve by raising taxes.[40]
Landry's brother, Nicholas Landry, who is gay, posted an open letter on Facebook criticizing his brother's policies on LGBTQ issues.[41]
In December 2022, as attorney general, Landry established a tip line called "Protecting Minors" to address concerns related to librarians, teachers, and other personnel in schools and libraries. It allowed people to report complaints about libraries that, according to Landry, do not adequately protect children from issues such as early sexualization, grooming, sex trafficking, and abuse.[42] Landry said he wanted to stop the "taxpayer-subsided sexualization of children."[43] Most of the 5,500 pages of complaints submitted to the tip line were spam.[44]
In February 2023, Landry drafted a report titled "Protecting Innocence" that focuses on libraries and supports legislation restricting minors' access to certain materials deemed obscene by local public library boards. Several books mentioned in the report contain LGBTQ themes. State RepresentativeJulie Emerson and SenatorHeather Cloud planned to submit bills to achieve those objectives.[45] Board members from the Livingston Parish Library attended the press conference to show their support for the report. Among them was activist Connie Philips, member of the St. Tammany Parish Library Accountability Project. Philips has filed over 150 challenges to books at the St. Tammany Parish Library and allegedly assaulted someone outside a St. Tammany Parish Council meeting that discussed book restrictions.[46][47][48] TheLouisiana Library Association released a statement in response to the "Protecting Innocence" report titled "Setting the Record Straight".[49]
In 2016, Landry became embroiled in a dispute withMitch Landrieu, the Democraticmayor of New Orleans, over failed efforts to curtail street crime in New Orleans. Landry named a task force on the issue without consulting theLouisiana State Police or theNew Orleans Police Department. He claimed that crime in New Orleans is "more dangerous than Chicago". NOPD SuperintendentMichael S. Harrison said that Landry had ignored the cityhome rule charter and did not have the authority "to engage in active law enforcement in New Orleans." Landrieu claimed that Landry's task force had placed state troopers' and city police officers' lives in jeopardy.[50]
In April 2017, Landry again filed suit against Edwards; this time, he disputed the freezing of $4 million in anescrow fund obtained from a pharmaceutical settlement in 2013, when Buddy Caldwell was state attorney general. Landry claimed that his office was entitled to the funds because it must generate revenues to meet a portion of its own budget. Edwards replied that Landry was fighting budget cuts that have also been imposed on other state offices. "It's another dog and pony show", Edwards said of the suit. Landry called Edwards "an emperor ... a predictable and vindictive Washington-style politician more concerned with political points than the people's business. By playing petty partisan politics, the governor is jeopardizing the operations of the Louisiana Department of Justice."[51] Three months later, Landry withdrew the suit, which became moot after State SenatorBret Allain, vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee, brokered a compromise that transferred $2.7 million to Landry's office operations.[52]
In July 2017, Texas Attorney GeneralKen Paxton led a group of Republican attorneys general from nine other states, including Louisiana, as well as Idaho GovernorButch Otter, in threatening theDonald Trump administration that they would litigate if Trump did not terminate theDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that President Obama had put into place. Tennessee Attorney GeneralHerbert Slatery reversed his position and withdrew his participation in the proposed suit on August 31. Slatery went further, urging passage of theDREAM Act.[53][54]
In April 2018, Landry joined U.S. RepresentativeMike Johnson ofLouisiana's 4th congressional district and Christian actorKirk Cameron to argue under theFirst Amendment forstudent-led prayer andreligious expression in public schools. Landry and Johnson appeared with Cameron on a promotional video and at prayer rallies at the First Baptist Church ofMinden and Bossier Parish Community College inBossier City. The gatherings were organized by area pastors, including Brad Jurkovich of First Baptist Bossier, in response to a lawsuit filed in February against theBossier Parish School Board and the superintendent, Scott Smith. The board and the superintendent were accused of allowing teachers to incorporate various aspects ofChristianity in their class presentations.[55]
In 2018, Landry was elected to a one-year term as president of theNational Association of Attorneys General.[56] In 2019, Landry declined to sign a letter in support of theSAFE Banking Act, which would permit marijuana-related businesses to use the banking system.[57]
On December 8, 2020, Texas Attorney GeneralKen Paxton sued the states of Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, where certified results showedJoe Biden the electoral victor over President Trump. Landry joined the lawsuit and an amicus brief filed by the Missouri AG, seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election by challenging election processes in four states Trump lost.[58] 16 other state attorneys general who supported Paxton's challenge of the election results alleged numerous instances of unconstitutional actions in the four states' presidential ballot tallies, arguments that hadalready been rejected in other state and federal courts.[59] InTexas v. Pennsylvania, Paxton asked theUnited States Supreme Court to invalidate the four states' combined 62 electoral votes, allowing Trump to be declared the winner of the election.[60] On December 11, the U.S. Supreme Court quickly rejected the suit in an unsigned opinion.[61]
In 2021, Landry sued the federal government for a requirement that health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19,[62] calling the requirement an "unconstitutional and immoral attack" on health care workers.[62] He has accepted $25,000 in political donations from American pharmaceutical and biotechnology companyPfizer as of 2024.[63]
In 2024, Landry signed five bills into law that loosened vaccine requirements, limited the power of public health authorities, and cast doubt on the safety of vaccines.[64]
In November 2021, the former district attorney's office criminal division deputy director, Matthew Derbes, sued Landry, alleging that he not only concealed records instrumental to Derbes's sexual harassment complaints, but also retaliated against Derbes. The previous year, Derbes filed a complaint against his immediate supervisor, Pat Magee, over his inappropriate treatment of women in the office. According to the suit, investigations were hampered by the office and the complaints were deliberately mischaracterized to avoid the reporting requirements. Additionally, when reporters filed public-records requests, Landry sued and asked a judge to seal all records, something that the editor ofThe Advocate, Peter Kovacs, characterized as wholly egregious, saying, "In my 40 years as an editor, I’ve never seen a journalist get sued for requesting a public record".[65] A judge sided with the press and, once new complaints arose against Magee, he resigned. Following the resignation, Landry released a memo with enough publicly identifiable information to expose Derbes as the whistleblower.[66]
On October 5, 2022, Landry launched his campaign for governor of Louisiana in the2023 election. He was endorsed by theRepublican Party of Louisiana and former presidentDonald Trump.[67][68] In September 2023, the Louisiana Board of Ethics charged Landry with accepting a gift in relation to his position as state attorney general.[69][70] Landry was also accused of accepting private air travel from campaign donors.[71] Furthermore, the charging document claims Landry did not report the complimentary flights in financial disclosures to the Ethics Board. Landry called the charges "election interference" and blamed Governor Edwards, who appoints board members.[72]
Landry was elected governor in the primary election on October 14, 2023, with 52% of the vote, averting a runoff election. His closest competitor, Democrat and former Louisiana transportation secretaryShawn Wilson, received 25% of the vote.[73]
On January 7, 2024, Landry took a ceremonial oath and delivered his inaugural address on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol;[74][75][76] the event was held a day before he took office as governor due to expectations for bad weather.[77] The Louisiana state constitution requires gubernatorial terms to begin at noon on the second Monday in January.[77]
Two weeks after taking office, on January 22, 2024, Landry signed a redistricting bill the state legislature had passed to redraw Louisiana's congressional districts, in order to comply with a federal court order requiring that a second Black-majority district be created in the state under the terms of theVoting Rights Act.[78] In May, he signed a bill that redrew Louisiana's sevenState Supreme Court districts for the first time in over two decades, creating a second Black-majority district in the process per the recommendation of five of the state's Supreme Court justices.[79]
Several political and civil rights groups have claimed the proposed maps are stillgerrymandered, with Landry signing the legislation with the intent of unseating CongressmanGarret Graves, who endorsed Stephen Waguespack during the gubernatorial election.[80]
In March 2024, Landry signed several bills that reversed criminal justice reforms initiated by the 2017 Justice Reinvestment Initiative.[81] He eliminated parole, dramatically cut the ability of convicts to earn points for good behavior in prison, increased penalties for carjackings and weapons offenses, and permittedtwo more methods of execution (nitrogen gas and electrocution).[82][81] He also signed a bill to allow people tocarry concealed handguns without permits.[81][83][84]
On February 10, 2025, Landry announced that the state had finalized its new execution protocol, allowing executions to be carried out in Louisiana for the first time in 15 years.[85] On March 18, 2025,Jessie Hoffman Jr., who was convicted of murder in 1996, was executed by nitrogen hypoxia, becoming the first person executed in Louisiana since 2010; Louisiana also became the second state to conduct a nitrogen gas execution, after Alabama.[86]
In June 2024, Louisiana became the first state to mandate posting theTen Commandments in every public school classroom. Landry signed the bill into law and called it "one of my favorites".[87][88][89][90] Days before signing it, he said: "I can't wait to be sued" over the law.[91] Hours after its signing, four civil liberties groups challenged the law.[92] Landry said that the law's implementation showed that the Republican "majority gets to rule" in Louisiana, while instructing parents who were opposed to the display of the Commandments: "Tell your child not to look at them".[93] A district judge blocked the bill butAttorney General of LouisianaLiz Murrill plans to appeal the decision.[94]
In June 2024, Landry enacted a law that excludes acts of civil disobedience from free speech protections on college campuses. Senate Bill 294, introduced by SenatorValarie Hodges, was presented as a pro-free speech measure aiming to "shore up protections" for campus speech, and Hodges made several references to thepro-Palestinian protests that have become common on campuses since the outbreak of theGaza war. "This bill protects free speech for everyone but makes it very clear that criminal activity and pro-terrorist, giving support to terrorist groups, does not belong on our college campuses", Hodges said.[95]
In October 2024, Landry held a press conference at LSU'sMemorial Tower to announce an executive order aimed at enhancing the protection offree speech on public university campuses. The executive order was signed in collaboration with LSU's chapter ofTurning Point USA. The order addresses concerns about campus reporting systems that allow students to report behavior they perceive as discriminatory based on factors such as age, race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. While these reporting systems are intended to address issues of marginalization, the order warns that they may unintentionally discourage open dialogue and expressive conduct on public post-secondary campuses. It suggests that, although designed to promote inclusivity, such systems could limit free speech by creating an environment where people feel hesitant to share differing viewpoints.[96]
In November 2024, Landry urged LSU to take disciplinary action against professor Nicholas Bryner, the director of LSU's Climate Change Law and Policy Project. During a class, Bryner commented on the 2024 presidential election, and someone later forwarded a video of those comments to Landry, who shared it on social media. Bryner said, in part, "And I don't know if anybody falls in that category, but if you voted for Trump on the idea that you don't like him personally but that you like his policies, I just want you to think about the message that that sends to other people and how you can prove that by treating other people in a way that matches that sentiment."[97] On January 14, 2025, during a class, tenured LSU law professor Ken Levy criticized Landry for his treatment of Bryner. He also commented on recent changes in case law related to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments and shared his views on Donald Trump. Additionally, Levy identified himself as a Democrat. Afterward, he received a letter notifying him of his removal from his teaching position.[98][99] On January 31, Judge Donald Johnson, a district judge in East Baton Rouge Parish, ruled that LSU must allow Levy to return to teaching immediately. Johnson issued a temporary restraining order stating that LSU cannot violate Levy's free speech rights and must refrain from any further harassment or retaliation against him.[100] On February 4, a three-judge panel of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that it was premature to require LSU to reinstate Levy, but affirmed that LSU may not interfere with his employment or infringe upon his free speech or due process rights. Landry criticized Levy's behavior on social media, saying, "No judge would tolerate this conduct in their courtroom or any legal professional setting. It should not be tolerated at our taxpayer funded universities either."[101] On February 11, Judge Tarvald Smith ruled that LSU must allow Levy to return to teaching. The judge determined that LSU had not adhered to its policies in the removal process. During the hearing, LSU President William Tate said he had decided to remove Levy. Additionally, LSU lawyer Carlton Jones was dismissed for discussing the case with LSU Law School dean Alena Allen, who had been subpoenaed as a witness.[102] OnX, Landry wrote, "This ruling is absurd! It not only disregards the law and the facts, but it also disrespects the many Louisiana citizens who are demanding a higher level of professionalism in our universities. The judge ignored the facts, the law, and the Constitution — but unfortunately, that is what we have come to expect."[103]
On June 11, 2025, Kimberly Terrell, the director of community engagement atTulane University's Environmental Law Clinic, resigned. Terrell's research focuses on thehealth impacts of Louisiana's petrochemical industry and that sector's racial disparities in hiring practices. In an email exchange,Marcilynn Burke, the dean ofTulane's law school, disclosed that Tulane presidentMichael Fitts was concerned that the clinic's efforts could jeopardize support for the university's anticipated downtown expansion project. Terrell said she had been told that Landry threatened to veto any state funding for the expansion unless Fitts "took action" regarding the clinic. A spokesperson for Landry said Terrell's claim was "not accurate".[104]
On July 22, 2025, Landry signed an executive order for Louisiana to join the state university systems of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas in becoming part of the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE). This organization serves as an alternative accrediting body to theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Conservative politicians have raised concerns about SACS due to its diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements, as well as its restrictions against outside influence, including political interference, in public higher education.[105]
Landry faced criticism for his response to the2025 New Orleans truck attack. Hours after the January 1 attack, he posted a photo of himself smiling and giving a thumbs-up with his wife and others outside a steakhouse in the city. He captioned the photo, "Ate dinner tonight in New Orleans. Proud to be a part of this incredibly resilient city. See everyone at the game tomorrow!" This referred to theSugar Bowl, which had been postponed due to the attack.[106] In response to the criticism, Landry said: "It’s important to understand that we have many visitors in the city of New Orleans right now. Safety is our top priority, and we want our guests and the world to know that Louisiana does not cower to radical Islamic terrorists. Our restaurants and all that New Orleans has to offer remain open for business!"[107]
Ahead ofSuper Bowl LIX, Landry invoked emergency powers to destroy the encampments and order the busing of more than 100 unhoused people to a "transitional center" he arranged under a no-bid contract.[108] The site lacked heating or blankets. Press was not permitted to enter the site.[109] Landry's administration requested that theU.S. Department of Homeland Security reimburse $50 million the state spent to enhance security and operate the temporary shelter.[110] The final cost was just over $52 million: $43.5 million for equipment and services and $8.6 million for personnel. The federal government denied the request, citing insufficient supplemental FEMA funding.[111]
On October 26, 2025, a day after the Tigers dropped to 5-3 overall with a home loss to Texas A&M, LSU fired head coachBrian Kelly.[112]
Landry told reporters that the LSU Board of Supervisors would form a committee to find the next coach rather than leaving the decision to athletic directorScott Woodward. "I can tell you right now, Scott Woodward is not selecting the next coach", he said at a press conference. "Hell, I'll letDonald Trump select it before I let him do it. He loves winners. You know, I'm not going to be picking the next coach, but I can promise you we're gonna pick a coach and we're gonna make sure that that coach is successful."[113] He added, "We're gonna make sure that he's compensated properly and we're gonna put metrics on it because I'm tired of rewarding failure in this country and then leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill."US News and World Report ranks Louisiana 49th in its Higher Education subcategory, which informs its overall Best States rankings.[114]
Landry criticized the contracts that Woodward reached with the last two football coaches that he hired,Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and Kelly at LSU. A few years after Woodward left Texas A&M for LSU, Fisher signed a lucrative extension in 2021, the year LSU hired Kelly.
On October 30, it was announced that Woodward and LSU athletics had parted ways after Landry's decision to exclude Woodward from the hiring of the new coach.[115]
On December 22, 2025, PresidentDonald Trump appointed Landry as "United States Special Envoy toGreenland", a territory of theKingdom of Denmark.[116] The role was described as informal and one-sided, and Landry is not a formal envoy or diplomat to Greenland, with no diplomatic status oraccreditation in Denmark.[117] Landry said he would work to "make Greenland part of the U.S."[118] Denmark condemned the move, and both the Danish government and the Greenlandic home rule government demanded respect for its borders.[119] Denmark summoned the American ambassador,Ken Howery.[120] Danish government officials were described as "incensed" at attempts to undermine Denmark's sovereignty, and Foreign MinisterLars Løkke Rasmussen called Landry's statements "completely unacceptable", adding, "we insist that everyone—including the US—must show respect for theterritorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark."[121][122]
Landry and his wife, Sharon Landry (née LeBlanc), have one son. He and his family areRoman Catholic.
| Louisiana State Senate 22nd District primary election, 2007 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry | 13,375 | 35 |
| Democratic | Troy Hebert | 12,648 | 33 |
| Democratic | Sydnie Mae Maraist Durand | 12,375 | 32 |
| Louisiana State Senate 22nd District runoff election, 2007 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Troy Hebert | 14,876 | 51 |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry | 14,308 | 49 |
| Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District Republican primary election, 2010 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry | 19,657 | 65 |
| Republican | "Hunt" Downer | 10,549 | 35 |
| Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District Election, 2010 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry | 108,943 | 64 |
| Democratic | Ravi Sangisetty | 61,914 | 36 |
| Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District primary election, 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Charles Boustany Jr. | 139,123 | 45 |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry (inc.) | 93,527 | 30 |
| Democratic | "Ron" Richard | 67,070 | 22 |
| Republican | Bryan Barrilleaux | 7,908 | 3 |
| Libertarian | "Jim" Stark | 3,765 | 1 |
| Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District runoff election, 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Charles Boustany Jr. | 58,820 | 61 |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry (inc.) | 37,767 | 39 |
| Louisiana Attorney General primary election, 2015 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | James "Buddy" Caldwell (inc.) | 376,407 | 35 |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry | 347,605 | 33 |
| Democratic | Geraldine "Geri" Broussard Baloney | 187,575 | 18 |
| Democratic | Isaac "Ike" Jackson | 115,118 | 11 |
| Republican | "Marty" Maley | 37,830 | 4 |
| Louisiana Attorney General runoff election, 2015 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry | 610,459 | 56 |
| Republican | James "Buddy" Caldwell (inc.) | 473,915 | 44 |
| Louisiana Attorney General election, 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry(incumbent) | 855,338 | 66 |
| Democratic | Isaac "Ike" Jackson | 436,531 | 34 |
| Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | "Jeff" Landry | 547,827 | 52 |
| Democratic | Shawn Wilson | 275,525 | 26 |
| Republican | Stephen Waguespack | 62,287 | 6 |
| Republican | John Schroder | 56,654 | 5 |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromLouisiana's 3rd congressional district 2011–2013 | Succeeded by |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by | Attorney General of Louisiana 2016–2024 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forAttorney General of Louisiana 2019 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forGovernor of Louisiana 2023 | Most recent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Louisiana 2024–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byasVice President | Order of precedence of the United States Within Louisiana | Succeeded by Mayor of city in which event is held |
| Succeeded by OtherwiseMike Johnson asSpeaker of the United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded byasGovernor of Ohio | Order of precedence of the United States Outside Louisiana | Succeeded byasGovernor of Indiana |
