Republican Jeff Landry rode the endorsement of former President Donald Trump to victory Saturday in a crowded primary to elect Louisiana’s next governor.
Democrat John Bel Edwards had been term-limited from seeking re-election.
“Thankful beyond belief. I’m ready to get to work for Louisiana!” Landry posted on X after his win.
Thankful beyond belief. I’m ready to get to work for Louisiana!
— Jeff Landry (@JeffLandry) October 15, 2023
The Associated Press called the race for Landry with 95 percent of the votes in, and Landry at 52 percent of the vote, according to Politico.
Democrat Shawn Wilson polled about 25 percent of the vote, while others on the ballot including Hunter Lundy — an evangelical independent — Republican state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, GOP lobbyist Stephen Waguespack, and state treasurer John Schroder, who is also a Republican, received scattered support.
In Saturday’s primary, voters could pick whomever they pleased, regardless of party affiliation. If no one had received a majority — which had been considered the most likely outcome — a runoff would have been held next month.
In an interview moments later, Landry representative Kate Kelly indicated the depth of the surprise the outright victory represented, according to the Times-Picayune.
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