Jeff Landry
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Jeffrey Martin Landry ( LAN-dree; born December 23, 1970) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the 57th governor of Louisiana since 2024. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th attorney general of Louisiana from 2016 to 2024 and as the U.S. representative for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district from 2011 to 2013. Born in St. Martinville, Louisiana, Landry graduated from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He was a member of the Louisiana 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 the Louisiana State Senate in 2007 but narrowly lost. He was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2010, serving one term until he lost his seat after redistricting. Landry defeated incumbent Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell in 2015, and was reelected four years later with over 66% of the vote. During his tenure, he supported Louisiana's abortion ban, advocated for prayer in public schools, and challenged Governor John Bel Edwards on LGBT issues. Landry won the 2023 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 the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms; that bill is currently blocked by the courts on the grounds that it unconstitutionally violates the separation of church and state.