In a significant shift of power, Republicans have emerged victorious in the runoff races for attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer in Louisiana. This outcome means that political conservatives will now control all of Louisiana’s elected statewide offices, a feat not seen since 2015.
The Republican party had already secured the governor’s mansion in October and currently holds a majority in both the state house and senate.
Liz Murrill, Nancy Landry, and John Fleming were elected as attorney general, secretary of state, and treasurer, respectively. Notably, Murrill and Landry are the first women in Louisiana’s history to hold these positions. With the conclusion of Saturday’s election, the state’s executive branch has been completely transformed, as most incumbents did not seek re-election.
Earlier in October, the Republican party had already seen success with the re-elections of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain. Additionally, newcomer Tim Temple was elected as the insurance commissioner. These victories served as a precursor to the recent sweep of statewide offices.
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Despite a relatively low voter turnout, the election caught the attention of former President Donald Trump. Known as a favorite for the Republican nomination in the 2024 White House race, Trump publicly endorsed all three GOP candidates. Louisiana’s Democratic party faced minimal resistance in the races, ultimately allowing the Republicans to triumph.
Jeff Landry, backed by Trump, secured a multi-primary party outright in the gubernatorial election, eliminating the need for a runoff. This victory ensured that the state’s only Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards, could not seek re-election due to term limits.
Among the successful candidates, there were noteworthy differences in their political stances. For instance, Murrill, who will replace Jeff Landry as attorney general, has aligned herself with conservative causes, such as challenging the Joe Biden White House’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors. On the other hand, Landry made headlines for supporting legislation restricting gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths and advocating for a near-total abortion ban.
In the treasurer’s race, John Fleming, a close ally of Trump, emerged as the victor. As a former congressman and co-founder of the US House Freedom Caucus, Fleming’s conservative credentials played a significant role in his electoral success. He faced Democratic financial adviser Dustin Granger in the runoff.
As for the secretary of state position, Nancy Landry, unrelated to Jeff Landry, defeated Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup. Landry, a former state House member, already had experience working in the secretary of state’s office for four years. She will now oversee the replacement of Louisiana’s outdated voting machines, a process that has garnered national attention due to concerns of bid-rigging and conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election.
Despite Landry being the first woman elected to the secretary of state position, the first woman to hold the role was Alice Lee Grosjean, who was appointed by Governor Huey P Long in 1930. Grosjean served following the sudden death of James Bailey, the then-secretary of state.
With the consolidation of Republican power in Louisiana’s executive branch, the political landscape in the state has undergone a significant transformation. The outcome of these elections will undoubtedly shape the policies and direction of the state for years to come.
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