Landry secures landslide victory in Louisiana governor election.
Louisiana’s Trump-endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry Makes Historic Win in Governor’s Race
Louisiana’s political landscape is set to change as Attorney General Jeff Landry, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, emerges victorious in the governor’s race. In a stunning primary win on October 14, Landry secured an impressive 51.6 percent of the vote, surpassing the combined votes of 13 other candidates, including six fellow Republicans. This dominant victory eliminates the need for a runoff election in November.
Landry, expressing his gratitude, stated, “Thankful beyond belief. I’m ready to get to work for Louisiana!” His concise statement reflects the swift and effective nature of his campaign.
Under Louisiana’s unique “jungle primary” system, all candidates compete on the same ballot. To win outright, a candidate must secure 50 percent or more of the primary vote. Landry had been a frontrunner for months, consistently polling above the 50 percent mark.
The question on everyone’s mind leading up to the primary was whether Landry would hit that crucial 50-percent mark. As of 10:15 p.m. CST, the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office reported that Landry had secured 51.6 percent of the vote, solidifying his position as the clear winner.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Landry, who previously served as a congressman and has been the state’s attorney general since 2015. Throughout his career, he has clashed with Governor Edwards on various legal matters, including the protection of LGBT employees from discrimination.
Wilson Falls Short in Gubernatorial Primary
Democrat Shawn Wilson, the former Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development Secretary handpicked by Governor Edwards as his successor, finished a distant second in the primary with 25.9 percent of the vote. Despite his efforts to rally support and benefit from a diverse field of Republican candidates, Wilson’s campaign fell short.
Democrats were concerned about low early-voting turnouts, which saw more Republicans casting ballots than Democrats, deviating from the usual voting patterns. They had hoped to force a runoff election on November 18 by driving up turnout. However, Landry’s overwhelming victory on Saturday put an end to those hopes.
The Louisiana election is one of three gubernatorial contests in 2023. In Kentucky, a Republican attorney general is challenging a Democrat incumbent, while in Mississippi, Republican Governor Tate Reeves is favored to win a second term.
GOP Secures Supermajorities in State Offices
In addition to the governor’s race, other Republican candidates also emerged victorious in the October 14 primary. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser easily secured a third term, winning nearly two-thirds of the vote. Republican Solicitor General Liz Murrill, who campaigned alongside Landry, finished first in the attorney general primary with 45 percent of the vote.
Murrill will face Democrat trial attorney Lindsey Cheek in the November 18 runoff. Republicans are expected to maintain their two-thirds majorities in both the state Senate and House.
2023 Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Louisiana is one of four states holding legislature elections in 2023. Republicans in Louisiana, as well as Democrats in New Jersey and the GOP in Mississippi, are expected to retain or expand their majorities. The most closely watched election will be Virginia’s state Legislature elections on November 7, where the GOP has a chance to gain control.
In the October 14 primary, Louisiana voters approved three out of four proposed constitutional amendments. Notably, Amendment 1, which prohibits foreign government or nongovernmental donations for conducting elections, received over 70 percent of the vote. Amendment 2, affirming the freedom to worship as a fundamental right, passed with nearly 80 percent support. However, Amendment 3, regarding state retirement system funding, fell short of the required 60 percent threshold. Voters also approved Amendment 4, which denies property tax exemptions to nonprofit organizations with dangerously dilapidated residential properties.
How has Landry’s victory in the primary positioned him as the strongest candidate for the Republican party in the general election?
The other two states, Mississippi and Kentucky, the incumbents are eligible to run for reelection. However, Louisiana has a term limit, so Governor Edwards was unable to seek a third consecutive term. This opened up the race to a diverse field of candidates from both major parties.
Despite his loss, Wilson’s campaign deserves recognition for his efforts. As the former Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development Secretary, he had experience in state government that he hoped would resonate with voters. However, Wilson faced an uphill battle against Landry’s strong support from former President Donald Trump.
Landry’s victory in the primary is significant for Louisiana Republicans. With his win, he becomes the party’s strongest candidate to challenge the Democratic incumbent in the general election. However, it remains to be seen how Landry’s conservative stance on issues such as LGBT rights will resonate with the broader electorate.
The general election in Louisiana will take place on November 18, where Landry will face off against Governor Edwards. The outcome of this race will have implications not only for the state but also for the national political landscape. Louisiana has traditionally leaned Republican, but Democrats have made gains in recent years.
With Landry’s victory, the stage is set for an intense battle for the governorship of Louisiana. Both candidates will need to mobilize their supporters and win over undecided voters in order to secure victory. This race will undoubtedly be closely watched by political observers across the country.
As Louisiana prepares for a change in leadership, all eyes will be on Attorney General Jeff Landry. With his Trump endorsement and dominant primary win, Landry has established himself as a formidable candidate. Now, he must prove himself in the general election and convince voters that he is the right choice to lead the state forward.
The outcome of the Louisiana governor’s race will not only shape the future of the state but also provide insights into the political climate in the aftermath of the Trump presidency. It is a race that will undoubtedly be closely followed by politicians, analysts, and voters alike.
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