Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jeff Landry

Discover the career path of Jeff Landry, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jeff Landry is an American politician and attorney currently serving as the 57th Governor of Louisiana since 2024. Affiliated with the Republican Party, Landry previously held the position of the 45th Attorney General of Louisiana from 2016 to 2024. Before his tenure as Attorney General, he represented Louisiana's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013. His career reflects a trajectory through various levels of Louisiana's political landscape.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2004: End of Reserve Deputy Role

In 2004, Jeff Landry said he remained a reserve deputy until this year.

2007: Caldwell First Elected

Buddy Caldwell was first elected as Attorney General in 2007 as a Democrat.

2007: Ran for Louisiana Senate District 22

In 2007, Jeff Landry ran for Louisiana's 22nd Senate district but was defeated by Troy Hebert.

2007: Unsuccessful Run for Louisiana State Senate

In 2007, Jeff Landry ran for a seat in the Louisiana State Senate but narrowly lost.

2010: Elected to U.S. Congress

In 2010, Jeff Landry was elected to the U.S. Congress, serving one term.

2010: Incident Raised in Republican Primary

In 2010, Landry's opponent raised the 1993 drug incident during an acrimonious Republican primary election. The District Attorney stated that Landry was never implicated in any crime.

September 2011: Held Up Sign During Obama Speech

In September 2011, Jeff Landry made national headlines by holding up a sign saying "Drilling=jobs" during Obama's national jobs plan speech.

2011: Elected as U.S. Representative

In 2011, Jeff Landry was elected as the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district.

2011: Fundraising Numbers

In the third quarter of 2011, Jeff Landry led Boustany in fundraising with $251,000 to $218,000.

2013: End of Term as U.S. Representative

In 2013, Jeff Landry's term as the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district ended.

2013: Pharmaceutical Settlement

In 2013, while Buddy Caldwell was state attorney general, the state obtained a pharmaceutical settlement that later became the subject of a dispute between Jeff Landry and Governor Edwards in April 2017.

February 24, 2014: Announced Challenge to Caldwell

On February 24, 2014, Jeff Landry announced his challenge to incumbent Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.

2015: Defeated Buddy Caldwell

In 2015, Jeff Landry defeated incumbent Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.

2016: Became Attorney General of Louisiana

In 2016, Jeff Landry became the 45th attorney general of Louisiana.

2016: Dispute with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu over crime

In 2016, Jeff Landry disputed with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu over failed efforts to curtail street crime in New Orleans, claiming the city was more dangerous than Chicago. Landry created a task force without consulting the Louisiana State Police or the New Orleans Police Department, leading to accusations of overreach and jeopardizing officer safety.

April 2017: Lawsuit against Governor Edwards over escrow funds

In April 2017, Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit against Governor Edwards disputing the freezing of $4 million in an escrow fund obtained from a pharmaceutical settlement in 2013. Landry argued his office was entitled to the funds to meet its budget, while Edwards accused Landry of fighting budget cuts impacting other state offices.

July 2017: Threat to litigate against Trump administration over DACA

In July 2017, Jeff Landry joined a group of Republican attorneys general, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in threatening the Donald Trump administration with litigation if the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy was not terminated.

2017: Justice Reinvestment Initiative

In 2017, criminal justice reforms were initiated by the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, which were later reversed by Jeff Landry in March 2024.

April 2018: Advocacy for student-led prayer in schools

In April 2018, Jeff Landry, along with U.S. Representative Mike Johnson and Christian actor Kirk Cameron, advocated for student-led prayer and religious expression in public schools, citing the First Amendment. They appeared in a promotional video and at prayer rallies in response to a lawsuit alleging the incorporation of Christianity in class presentations.

August 2018: Considered Gubernatorial Run

In August 2018, Jeff Landry indicated that he might forego his bid for reelection as attorney general in 2019 and instead challenge Governor John Bel Edwards.

2018: Elected President of the National Association of Attorneys General

In 2018, Jeff Landry was elected to a one-year term as president of the National Association of Attorneys General, marking a significant milestone in his career.

October 12, 2019: Reelected as Attorney General

On October 12, 2019, Jeff Landry was reelected as Louisiana's Attorney General.

2019: Chairs Conservative Majority Committee

In 2019, Jeff Landry chaired the Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority.

2019: Possible Run for Governor

In 2019, Jeff Landry considered running for Governor.

2019: Declined to support the SAFE Banking Act

In 2019, Jeff Landry declined to sign a letter in support of the SAFE Banking Act, which aimed to permit marijuana-related businesses to utilize the banking system, demonstrating his stance on the marijuana industry.

December 8, 2020: Joined lawsuit to overturn 2020 presidential election results

On December 8, 2020, Jeff Landry joined Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit against Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election by challenging election processes in states where Joe Biden won. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the suit on December 11.

2021: Landry Criticizes Woodward's Contracts with Football Coaches

In 2021, Jeff Landry criticized the contracts that Scott Woodward reached with football coaches Jimbo Fisher and Brian Kelly, highlighting the financial implications.

2021: Sued federal government over COVID-19 vaccine mandate

In 2021, Jeff Landry sued the federal government over a requirement that health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19, denouncing it as an unconstitutional attack.

October 5, 2022: Launched campaign for governor of Louisiana

On October 5, 2022, Jeff Landry launched his campaign for governor of Louisiana in the 2023 election and received endorsements from the Republican Party of Louisiana and former president Donald Trump.

October 14, 2023: Elected governor of Louisiana

On October 14, 2023, Jeff Landry was elected governor of Louisiana in the primary election with 52% of the vote, averting a runoff election. His closest competitor, Shawn Wilson, received 25% of the vote.

2023: Fisher's Buyout

In 2023, Jimbo Fisher received a buyout of nearly $77 million after being fired, and Kelly would be owed a nearly $54 million buyout.

2023: Won Louisiana Gubernatorial Election

Jeff Landry won the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial election with a majority of the vote in the first round.

January 7, 2024: Ceremonial oath and inaugural address

On January 7, 2024, Jeff Landry took a ceremonial oath and delivered his inaugural address on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol, a day before officially taking office as governor due to expected bad weather.

March 2024: Reversed criminal justice reforms

In March 2024, Jeff Landry signed several bills reversing the 2017 Justice Reinvestment Initiative, eliminating parole, cutting convicts' ability to earn points for good behavior, increasing penalties for carjackings and weapons offenses, and permitting two more methods of execution: nitrogen gas and electrocution. He also signed a bill to allow concealed handguns without permits.

June 2024: Law enacted excluding civil disobedience from free speech protections on college campuses

In June 2024, Jeff Landry enacted a law that excludes acts of civil disobedience from free speech protections on college campuses. Senate Bill 294, introduced by Senator Valarie Hodges, was presented as a pro-free speech measure, particularly in response to pro-Palestinian protests.

June 2024: Mandated posting of Ten Commandments in public schools

In June 2024, Louisiana became the first state to mandate posting the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. Jeff Landry signed the bill into law, calling it "one of my favorites" and expressing anticipation for lawsuits. Civil liberties groups challenged the law shortly after its signing.

October 2024: Executive order enhancing free speech on university campuses

In October 2024, Jeff Landry announced an executive order in collaboration with Turning Point USA aimed at enhancing the protection of free speech on public university campuses. The order addresses concerns about campus reporting systems potentially discouraging open dialogue.

November 2024: Landry Urges Disciplinary Action Against Professor Bryner

In November 2024, Jeff Landry urged LSU to take disciplinary action against professor Nicholas Bryner after a video of Bryner's comments on the 2024 presidential election was shared on social media. Landry criticized Bryner's remarks about voters who supported Donald Trump.

2024: Became Governor of Louisiana

In 2024, Jeff Landry became the 57th governor of Louisiana.

2024: Loosened vaccine requirements and limited public health authority

In 2024, Jeff Landry signed five bills into law that loosened vaccine requirements, limited the power of public health authorities, and cast doubt on the safety of vaccines.

January 14, 2025: Professor Ken Levy Criticizes Landry

On January 14, 2025, LSU law professor Ken Levy criticized Jeff Landry for his treatment of professor Bryner. Levy also commented on case law and Donald Trump, and identified as a Democrat, which subsequently led to his removal from his teaching position.

February 10, 2025: Finalized new execution protocol

On February 10, 2025, Jeff Landry announced that the state had finalized its new execution protocol, allowing executions to be carried out in Louisiana for the first time in 15 years.

March 18, 2025: Jessie Hoffman Jr. executed by nitrogen hypoxia

On March 18, 2025, Jessie Hoffman Jr., convicted of murder in 1996, was executed by nitrogen hypoxia, becoming the first person executed in Louisiana since 2010. Louisiana became the second state to conduct a nitrogen gas execution, after Alabama.

June 11, 2025: Kimberly Terrell Resigns Amid Concerns Over Clinic's Research

On June 11, 2025, Kimberly Terrell, director at Tulane University's Environmental Law Clinic, resigned after concerns arose that the clinic's research on the petrochemical industry's impact could jeopardize Tulane's downtown expansion project. Terrell claimed that Jeff Landry threatened to veto state funding unless action was taken regarding the clinic, a claim Landry denies.

July 22, 2025: Landry Signs Executive Order to Join CPHE

On July 22, 2025, Jeff Landry signed an executive order for Louisiana to join the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), an alternative accrediting body, alongside other state university systems. This was in response to concerns about the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) requirements regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.

October 26, 2025: LSU Fires Head Coach Brian Kelly

On October 26, 2025, LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly mid-season, after a loss to Texas A&M. The team dropped to 5-3 overall.

2025: Landry Criticized for Response to New Orleans Truck Attack

In 2025, Jeff Landry faced criticism for his response to the New Orleans truck attack. Hours after the attack, he posted a smiling photo of himself with his wife and others outside a steakhouse. He defended his actions by stating that Louisiana does not cower to terrorists and that businesses remain open.