The Louisiana Governor’s race was won by Attorney General Jeff Landry. A Republican who is backed up by the former President Donald Trump has defeated a large field of candidates.

Landry will replace current Gov. Landry will succeed the current governor. John Bel Edwards was not able to run for re-election because of the consecutive term limit. Edwards is currently the only Democratic Governor in the Deep South.

Landry stated during his victory speech on Saturday night that “today’s elections show our state is united.” It’s an alarm clock and a message everyone should hear, that the people of this state will expect more from our government.

Landry, who received more than half the votes in the “jungle primary system” of Louisiana, avoided the expected runoff. Louisiana’s last gubernatorial election without a runoff was in 2011, when Bobby Jindal won the top job.

The Governor-elect, who celebrated the election with supporters at a Broussard watch party, Louisiana, called it “historic.”

Landry, 52 years old, has elevated the profile of Attorney General since assuming office in 2016. His office has been used to promote conservative policy positions. Landry’s involvement in and support for Louisiana laws has recently been the focus of much controversy. These include a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender teens, a near-total prohibition of abortions that does not have exceptions in cases of rape or incest, as well as limiting youth access to “sexually-explicit material” in public libraries.

Landry and Edwards have clashed repeatedly over issues in the state including LGBTQ rights, the state’s finances, and the death sentence. The Republican has repeatedly fought for Louisiana on the national stage, including against President Joe Biden’s policies to limit oil and gas production as well as COVID-19 mandates.

Landry served two years in the U.S. Congress, representing Louisiana’s third U.S. Congressional district. Landry spent 11 years as a member of the Louisiana Army National Guard. He was also a police officer, sheriff deputy, and an attorney.

Landry was considered to be the frontrunner during the gubernatorial elections season. He won the endorsements of prominent Republicans, including Trump and U.S. Rep Steve Scalise, and received a controversial endorsement early from the state GOP. Landry also has a significant fundraising advantage over his competitors.

Landry made it clear that he would make tackling crime in urban areas one of his main priorities as governor. The Republican has been pushing a tough on crime rhetoric, calling for greater “transparency’ in the justice system. He also continues to support capital punishment. Louisiana has the second highest murder rate in the country per capita.

Landry was attacked by opponents in interviews and on social media, who called him a bully, and accused him of making backroom deals for support. Landry was also criticized for missing all but one major televised debate.

Other gubernatorial contenders included Republican state senator Sharon Hewitt, Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy running as an Independent, Republican state treasurer John Schroder, and Stephen Waguespack, former Republican head of a powerful group for business and former senior adviser to then-Gov. Jindal, and Shawn Wilson – the sole major Democratic candidate and former head of Louisiana’s Transportation and Development Department.

Wilson, the runner up, stated in his concession speech that Landry had called him to congratulate Landry on his win. The Democrat told the Governor-elect that he had called him to congratulate Landry on his victory.

Wilson said, “The Louisianans spoke or did not speak and made a choice.”

On Saturday’s ballot, there were also five other statewide races and four ballot measures.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser was reelected Saturday night. Other races will not be decided until November.

The race for attorney general is one of the most closely watched races. This position holds the highest level of legal authority within the executive branch. Liz Baker Murrill is a Republican attorney who works in the Attorney General’s Office. Lindsey Cheek is a Democrat trial lawyer. They will face off on November 7th.

John Fleming (Republican) and Dustin Granger (Democrat) are also advancing to a second round in the race for state treasurer.

The Secretary of State race will see a runoff between Gwen Collins Greenup, a Democrat, and Nancy Landry, the First Assistant Secretary. Both are Republicans. The winner of the Louisiana Secretary of State race in November will be responsible for replacing Louisiana’s outdated machines that do not produce paper ballots, essential to ensure accurate election results.

There are also hundreds of localized races including all 39 Senate and 105 House Seats. However, a large number of incumbents run unopposed.