Governor Jeff Landry: ‘Our people have not come first. This will soon change.’

With our inauguration now over, I am left with an overwhelming feeling of hope for the future of our great state. Over the last year, we hit the road, listening to folks about the core issues that must be addressed if we’re to restore our state and improve our circumstances. Although we have a diverse state with many differences, most Louisianans want the same things: a good job, a great education for their children, and they want to live in a safe community.
Due to the support of folks across Louisiana, we achieved an unprecedented win on Oct. 14, giving us extra time to be thoughtful about these issues and craft real solutions to make Louisiana great.
Throughout this time, we identified 14 key points that need the most attention, and over the past three months, we assembled a great group of men and women to take a serious look at solution-driven ideas for the challenges we are facing.
Having grown up in the small town of St. Martinville, I learned from my parents the importance of faith, family, service and standing up for what you believe in. I also learned the importance of keeping your word.
We ran a campaign focused on fighting crime, improving our education system and rebuilding our economy. Now begins a new chapter for Louisiana, one where promises are kept and our government truly serves the people of Louisiana.
That means we will focus on fighting crime and ensuring opportunity and growth touches every corner of our state. It means we fix our criminal justice system and make it one where the victims are prioritized, not the criminals. It means fixing our prisons and ensuring those who are incarcerated are prepared to reenter society, not reenter prison. It means we focus on solutions to the infrastructure and insurance crises; it means prioritizing our coast and wetlands, and it means guaranteeing our children’s education is the top priority from kindergarten through college or trade school.
Growing up, I have walked in the shoes of the people who struggle more than they should in a state as blessed as this one. Louisiana is fortunate to have an abundance of resources — from our oil and gas industries to our wetlands, coast and wildlife habitats. And frankly, I believe our best resource is our people. There is no one like folks from Louisiana. With this abundance of incredible resources, Louisiana should be a place where people want to work, build a business and start a family. Yet for years, this has not been the case.
Under my administration, we will get back to prioritizing those industries and the people that built Louisiana. It’s time our rural communities are looked after, our farmers are heard and our men and women in the oil and gas industry feel appreciated. For far too long, the needs of our state and our people have not come first. This will soon change.
Louisiana’s best days are ahead of us.
I have always said, you fix your country when you fix your state. And I believe that over the coming years, Louisiana is positioned to not just become a leader in the South, but Louisiana can lead the nation.
Of course, this will not come without challenges, but if we work together, we will accomplish great things. We can create a better, safer and more prosperous Louisiana — not just for ourselves but also for our future generations to come.
Sharon and I are honored to serve as your 57th governor and first lady of the great state of Louisiana. Your trust in us is something that will never be taken for granted. It is time to put words into action and deliver on our promise to make the government in Louisiana as good as her people — because I believe in Louisiana, and there is no moment like the present.
May God continue to bless this state and her people.

Jeff Landry is the former attorney general of the state of Louisiana and was sworn in as its next governor on Monday.