Jeff Landry won Saturday's election for governor in Louisiana, defeating current Democrat Shawn Wilson with 52% of the vote.

The win flipped the state from blue to red at its top leadership position in a surprise victory in Louisiana.

Shocker in Louisiana as Republican Jeff Landry Smokes Democrat to Flip the Governor’s Mansion Without a Runoff https://t.co/8HsumKALkU

— Ben Owen🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@hrkbenowen) October 15, 2023

The details

"In Louisiana, governor elections are first open to a full field of all candidates from either party in what is known as a jungle primary—and then the two top vote-getters generally advance to a runoff a month later," Breitbart News reported.

"But if a candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, as Landry did here, they can win outright on jungle primary day," it added.

Trump-endorsed Republican Jeff Landry wins Louisiana governor’s race, ending 8 years of Democrat rule https://t.co/TLSl0iX79N

— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) October 15, 2023

Trump endorsed

"Landry captured Trump’s coveted endorsement and had created a strong profile in the state while serving as attorney general," Just the News reported.

"Landry will take over from Democrat John Bel Edwards, who has served as governor since 2016 but was term limited," it continued.

Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Republican backed by former President Donald Trump, has won the Louisiana governor’s race, holding off a crowded field of candidates. https://t.co/Mr1smT2aMw https://t.co/QUfgn4FEax

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) October 15, 2023

Landry speaks

“Today's election says that our state is united,” Landry said during his victory speech Saturday night, according to Newsmax.

“It’s a wake up call and it’s a message that everyone should hear loud and clear, that we the people in this state are going to expect more out of our government from here on out," he stated.

Landry previously served as the state's attorney general. In his role, he supported stronger pro-life legislation and argued against sex change surgeries for minors. He also supported conservative efforts to ban sexually explicit material from school libraries.

In addition to serving as attorney general, Landry also served one term as a congressman, representing the state's 3rd District. His background also includes serving in the Louisiana National Guard and serving as a police officer.

Landry's campaign emphasized public safety, seeking to reduce crime in urban areas across the state. The days ahead will test his campaign promises, with conservatives thankful for new leadership to help guide Louisiana in the days ahead as Republicans push to gain advantages in more states as part of the 2024 campaign cycle.