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'''Jeffrey Martin Landry''', known as '''Jeff Landry''' (born December 23, 1970), is the departing attorney general of his native U.S. state of [[Louisiana]] and its newly-elected [[governor]]. As attorney general, Landry took a leading role against the "mask police" during the [[coronavirus]] pandemic, when he issued an executive order cautioning businesses and police against violating constitutional rights by enforcing the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]]' order commanding people to wear masks.<ref>https://www.katc.com/news/covering-louisiana/ag-jeff-landry-releases-opinion-on-gov-edwards-mask-mandate-stating-it-is-likely-unconstitutional</ref>

'''Jeffrey Martin Landry''', known as '''Jeff Landry''' (born December 23, 1970), is the departing attorney general of his native U.S. state of [[Louisiana]] and its newly-elected [[governor]]. As attorney general, Landry took a leading role against the "mask police" during the [[coronavirus]] pandemic, when he issued an executive order cautioning businesses and police against violating constitutional rights by enforcing the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]]' order commanding people to wear masks.<ref>https://www.katc.com/news/covering-louisiana/ag-jeff-landry-releases-opinion-on-gov-edwards-mask-mandate-stating-it-is-likely-unconstitutional</ref>

In October 2022, Landry became the first Republican candidate to announce that he would contest the nonpartisan blanket primary held on  October 14, 2023, in which a successor to the term-limited Edwards was chosen. Several other Republicans, including [[Moderate Republican]] Lieutenant Governor [[Billy Nungesser]] and state Treasurer [[John Schroder]], were expected to file as well, but Nungesser opted to run instead for another term as lieutenant governor. Schroder did run but polled 56,656 votes (5 percent) in the gubernatorial primary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2022/10/05/louisiana-attorney-general-jeff-landry-launches-campaign-for-governor/69537194007/|title=Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry Launches Campaign for Governor|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> Landry drew the early support of both 2019 Republican gubernatorial candidates, [[Ralph Abraham]] and [[Eddie Rispone]], as well as the state's Republican Party organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=

In October 2022, Landry became the first Republican candidate to announce that he would contest the nonpartisan blanket primary held on  October 14, 2023, in which a successor to the term-limited Edwards was chosen. Several other Republicans, including [[Moderate Republican]] Lieutenant Governor [[Billy Nungesser]] and state Treasurer [[John Schroder]], were expected to file as well, but Nungesser opted to run instead for another term as lieutenant governor. Schroder did run but finished in fourth place with only 56,656 votes (5 percent) in the gubernatorial primary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2022/10/05/louisiana-attorney-general-jeff-landry-launches-campaign-for-governor/69537194007/|title=Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry Launches Campaign for Governor|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> Landry drew the early support of both 2019 Republican gubernatorial candidates, [[Ralph Abraham]] and [[Eddie Rispone]], as well as the state's Republican Party organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=

https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2022/11/07/louisiana-gop-endorses-jeff-landry-other-republican-hopefuls-cry-foul/69625433007/|title=Louisiana GOP endorses Jeff Landry in 2023 governor's race|publisher=''The Monroe News Star''|author=Greg Hilburn|date=November 7, 2022|accessdate=November 8, 2022}}</ref> Various polls indicated that Landry would likely win the race, but many expected the contest to enter a runoff phase in November. Instead with 547,828 votes (52 percent), Landry won the seat outright. The turnout was less than 36 percent of registered voters. Finishing was the African-American Democrat Shawn D. Wilson, the choice of John Bel Edwards, who polled 275,527 votes (26 percent) of the vote. In third place was Stephen "Wags" Waguespack, who stepped down as the former president of the [[Louisiana Association of Business and Industry]] to make the race, polled 62,280 votes (6 percent). Finishing fourth was outgoing state Treasurer John Schroder, who received 56,656 votes (5 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 2023.</ref> Landry carried the endorsement of former [[U.S. President]] [[Donald J. Trump]].

https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2022/11/07/louisiana-gop-endorses-jeff-landry-other-republican-hopefuls-cry-foul/69625433007/|title=Louisiana GOP endorses Jeff Landry in 2023 governor's race|publisher=''The Monroe News Star''|author=Greg Hilburn|date=November 7, 2022|accessdate=November 8, 2022}}</ref>  

 

Various polls indicated that Landry would likely win the race, but many expected the contest to enter a runoff phase in November. Instead with 547,828 votes (52 percent), Landry won the governorship outright. The turnout was less than 36 percent of registered voters. Finishing sedonc was the African-American Democrat Shawn D. Wilson, the choice of John Bel Edwards, who polled 275,527 votes (26 percent) of the vote. In third place was Stephen "Wags" Waguespack, who stepped down as the former president of the [[Louisiana Association of Business and Industry]] to make the race, polled 62,280 votes (6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 24, 2023.</ref> Landry carried the endorsement of former [[U.S. President]] [[Donald J. Trump]].

==Background==

==Background==