Jeff Landry

Jeff Landry
Born	Jeffrey Martin Landry 23 12, 1970
Birthplace	St. Martinville, Louisiana, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Title	Governor of Louisiana
Known for	57th Governor of Louisiana, 45th Attorney General of Louisiana, United States Special Envoy to Greenland
Education	University of Louisiana at Lafayette (BS) Loyola University New Orleans (JD)
Spouse(s)	Sharon LeBlanc
Children	1
Awards	Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Louisiana War Cross
Website	[landryforlouisiana.com Official site]

Jeffrey Martin Landry (born December 23, 1970) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 57th governor of Louisiana since January 2024, and concurrently as United States Special Envoy to Greenland since December 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Landry previously 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 and raised in St. Martinville, Louisiana, Landry's path to political prominence wound through military service in the Louisiana National Guard, work in law enforcement, and a legal career before he entered elected office. As attorney general, he became known for his frequent clashes with Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards over issues including LGBT rights, abortion policy, and executive authority. His gubernatorial tenure has been marked by the signing of legislation on criminal justice, gun rights, and the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, as well as economic development initiatives and a prominent role in federal diplomatic efforts related to Greenland.

Early Life

Jeffrey Martin Landry was born on December 23, 1970, in St. Martinville, a small city in St. Martin Parish in the heart of Louisiana's Acadiana region. He grew up in the Cajun cultural heartland of south-central Louisiana.

While still in high school, Landry enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard, beginning a period of military service that would span eleven years, from 1987 to 1998. He served in the United States Army through the Louisiana National Guard, ultimately attaining the rank of Sergeant. During his military career, Landry received several decorations, including the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Louisiana War Cross.

During his college years, Landry worked in law enforcement, serving as both a police officer and a sheriff's deputy. These experiences in the military and in policing shaped his later political emphasis on public safety and law-and-order policies.

Education

Landry attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He subsequently pursued a legal education at the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His legal training at Loyola provided the foundation for his later career as a practicing attorney and, eventually, as the state's chief legal officer.

Career

Early Political Career and 2007 State Senate Race

After completing his education and legal training, Landry practiced law in Louisiana. In 2007, he made his first bid for elected office, running for a seat in the Louisiana State Senate. He narrowly lost the race, but the campaign helped establish his name recognition in the Acadiana region and set the stage for future political endeavors.

U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2013)

Landry ran for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district seat in the 2010 elections, winning the race and succeeding Charlie Melancon, who had vacated the seat to run for the United States Senate. Landry took office on January 3, 2011, and served as a member of the Republican freshman class in the 112th United States Congress.

During his single term in Congress, Landry focused on issues of particular importance to his district, including energy policy and opposition to the Obama administration's moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Landry was a vocal critic of the drilling moratorium, arguing that it cost Louisiana jobs and damaged the state's economy. He positioned himself as a strong advocate for the oil and gas industry and pushed for the resumption of offshore drilling permits.

Landry also engaged with the Obama administration on other regulatory matters. He was involved in a subpoena effort related to the administration's energy policies, reflecting his combative approach toward federal regulation.

During his time in Congress, Landry received the endorsement of the Eagle Forum, a conservative interest group.

Landry's congressional tenure was cut short by a federal-court-ordered redistricting of Louisiana's congressional map. The redistricting eliminated the 3rd congressional district as Landry had represented it, effectively placing him in the same district as incumbent Republican Charles Boustany. In the November 2012 election for the reconfigured district, Landry was defeated. His congressional service ended on January 3, 2013.

Attorney General of Louisiana (2016–2024)

After leaving Congress, Landry announced his candidacy for attorney general of Louisiana in 2014. In the 2015 election, he defeated incumbent Attorney General Buddy Caldwell to win the office. Landry assumed the position on January 11, 2016. Four years later, he was reelected with over 66 percent of the vote, demonstrating broad support among Louisiana's electorate.

Conflicts with Governor Edwards

Landry's tenure as attorney general was defined in significant part by his contentious relationship with Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. The two clashed repeatedly on matters of policy and executive authority. Early in Edwards's governorship, in February 2016, disputes arose over the scope of executive power and pending litigation from the prior administration of Governor Bobby Jindal.

One of the most prominent areas of disagreement between Landry and Edwards involved LGBT rights. Governor Edwards had issued an executive order extending anti-discrimination protections to LGBT state employees and contractors. Landry challenged the order, and in a legal and political battle, he succeeded in having it overturned. Landry also drew attention for writing to the president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, urging the removal of a newly created LGBT studies minor from the university's academic offerings.

In 2017, Landry accused Edwards of "playing petty politics" in their ongoing disputes over legal authority and policy direction. The feud between the two officials extended across multiple policy domains and became one of the defining features of Louisiana politics during the Edwards administration.

Abortion and Social Policy

As attorney general, Landry was a supporter of Louisiana's abortion ban and used the office to defend the state's restrictive abortion laws. He also advocated for the inclusion of prayer in public schools, aligning himself with socially conservative positions on issues at the intersection of religion and governance.

Governor of Louisiana (2024–present)

2023 Election

Landry entered the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial election as the Republican frontrunner following the completion of John Bel Edwards's two terms (Louisiana governors are limited to two consecutive terms). He won the election with a majority of the vote in the first round of Louisiana's jungle primary system, avoiding the need for a runoff election. Landry was inaugurated as the 57th governor of Louisiana on January 8, 2024, with Billy Nungesser serving as his lieutenant governor.

Legislative Agenda

As governor, Landry moved quickly to implement a conservative policy agenda. He signed several criminal justice bills aimed at strengthening law enforcement and toughening penalties. Among the most notable early actions of his administration was the signing of legislation allowing the carrying of concealed weapons without a permit, known as constitutional carry, making Louisiana one of a growing number of states to adopt such a policy.

Landry also signed into law a requirement that the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school classrooms in Louisiana. The law attracted national attention and prompted immediate legal challenges. Federal courts blocked the law's implementation on the grounds that it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing or endorsing religion. As of early 2026, the legal challenge remains ongoing.

Economic Development

In his role as governor, Landry has pursued major economic development initiatives for Louisiana. In February 2026, he announced a $12 billion project for the Caddo and Bossier parishes area, described as a "transformational" economic development undertaking centered in the Shreveport region. Reports indicated the project involved a major data center development.

Landry has also been involved in efforts to attract industrial investment to the state, including seeking tariff relief from the federal government to facilitate a $5.8 billion Hyundai steel manufacturing facility proposed for Ascension Parish. The effort placed the governor in the position of navigating between state economic interests and the trade policies of the Trump administration.

DEI Investigation

In February 2026, Landry called for the United States Department of Education to expand its investigation into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices at Louisiana's public colleges and universities, requesting that the federal probe encompass every public institution of higher education in the state.

United States Special Envoy to Greenland (2025–present)

On December 22, 2025, President Donald Trump appointed Landry as the first United States Special Envoy to Greenland, a newly established position. Landry holds the position concurrently with his role as governor of Louisiana.

In February 2026, President Trump announced that he was working with Landry to send a U.S. military hospital ship to Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark. The proposal was rejected by Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who urged the United States to cease what he described as "random outbursts" on the matter. Landry, in his capacity as envoy, rebuked the Greenland leader for rejecting the hospital ship proposal, escalating the diplomatic exchange.

The episode drew criticism from some commentators who noted that Greenland already has a universal healthcare system, while Louisiana itself faces significant public health challenges.

Personal Life

Jeff Landry is married to Sharon LeBlanc. The couple has one child. As governor, Landry resides in the Louisiana Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge.

Landry's military service in the Louisiana National Guard spanned from 1987 to 1998, during which he rose to the rank of sergeant. He received the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Louisiana War Cross for his service.

Prior to entering politics, Landry worked in law enforcement during his college years, serving as both a police officer and a sheriff's deputy, experiences that he has frequently cited as formative to his views on public safety and criminal justice.

Recognition

Landry's military service earned him multiple decorations, including the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Louisiana War Cross.

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Landry received endorsements from several conservative organizations, including the Eagle Forum.

His election as governor in 2023 with a first-round majority was considered a significant political achievement in Louisiana, where the jungle primary system frequently forces candidates into runoff elections. His appointment as the first U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland in December 2025 by President Trump placed him in an unusual dual role as both a sitting governor and a federal diplomatic representative.