John Fleming is the Only Candidate for Treasurer Endorsed by the LAGOP

A recent Louisiana state-wide political poll of likely voters shows Republican candidate John Fleming, M.D., and Democrat candidate Dustin Granger are positioned to go head-to-head in a November runoff election.

Dustin Granger, the Democratic candidate, garnered 30% of the vote because of his party affiliation. Dr. Fleming received 21% even with another Republican accounting for 7% of the total vote.

Dr. Fleming has received key endorsements from the Republican Party, including:

• Republican Party of Louisiana (LAGOP)

• Congressman Mike Johnson

• Congressman Clay Higgins

• Congressman Jim Jordan

• Former Congressman Ralph Abraham

• Oil & Gas Workers Association

• Republican Party chapters across the state, including:

• Acadia Parish

• Ascension Parish

• Bossier Parish

• Caddo Parish

• Calcasieu Parish

• East Baton Rouge Parish

• Iberia Parish

• Lafayette Parish

• Livingston Parish

• Lafourche Parish

• Rapides Parish

• St. Charles Parish

• St. Tammany Parish

• Tangipahoa Parish

Please consider supporting Dr. John Fleming as your next Treasurer of Louisiana!

LAGOP Supports Steve Scalise for Speaker of the House

BATON ROUGE, LA— The Republican Party of Louisiana (LAGOP) today announced its full support for Representative Steve Scalise to become the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rep. Scalise is the clear choice to unite all Republicans on our path to victory in 2024. He understands what is at stake. In his time as Majority Leader, Minority Whip, and Majority Whip, he has consistently opposed Joe Biden and the Democrats' radical agenda while promoting a conservative legislative agenda. Most importantly, he is by nature a uniter who can bring all Republicans together.

The decision for the four hundred and thirty five members of the U.S. House of Representatives is clear. No other candidate has the experience and the demonstrated courage of Steve Scalise. Please cast your ballot for our next Speaker, Steve Scalise.

LANDRY: A Matter of Life and Death

No matter how many times I repeat the statistics, the reality of Louisiana’s crime epidemic and broken criminal justice system are best known by those in the thick of it. We can highlight that three of Louisiana’s major cities are some of the most dangerous in the country, that New Orleans is ranked as one of the most dangerous in the world, and that our first responders and criminologists are underpaid, overworked, and in desperate need of support.

But for the past eight years, the Edwards Administration has chosen to put criminal rights over victim rights. By choosing to measure only the incarceration rate rather than its implications to the State’s crime rate, the Governor has created a disheartening trend he intends to push all the way to the fast-approaching end of his tenure. Whatever the intentions, this has resulted in a legacy of supposed savings and surplus at the very expense of Louisiana lives.

Thankfully, my office – in collaboration with District Attorneys – was able to convince the 19th Judicial District Court to dramatically decrease the Governor’s chances of granting clemency to our State’s most violent and heinous criminals. Instead of allowing the Edwards Administration to cut the line, bend the rules, and manipulate various timelines to expedite clemency hearings, the Court upheld Louisiana law. This ultimately means that the Governor may not cheat the system in his waning days in office – ensuring that crime victims can still hang onto hope of getting the justice our State promised them.

I have consistently sided with the victims of these horrible crimes, even organizing a hearing at the State Capitol so that loved ones of those tortured, raped, and murdered were able to tell their stories, express their views, and finally have their voices heard. While our detractors declared this a political stunt, we all know better; it was necessary for the Legislature and people of our State to hear inconvenient truths, no matter how painful they are to hear.

Capital punishment is reserved only for the most heinous crimes known to man, which are done knowingly and with a rational mind. In total, there are 41 capital offenses that are punishable by death, including mass murder, contract and torture killers, killers of children, and terrorists. More importantly, it is constitutional – which is why Solicitor General Liz Murrill and I have worked diligently to remove obstacles in the courts and effectively clear the path for a future Governor to move forward with promised executions.

Perhaps that is why this Governor has been so eager to dismiss the rule of law and infuriate a large number of district attorneys, judges, first responders, and victims. If we’ve learned anything over the past eight years, it’s that the Edwards Administration often sides with the most dangerous, the most violent, and the most destructive over the innocent, the injured, and the brutally slaughtered. They have prioritized hug-a-thug policies over what’s fair, righteous, and just. And in his final months in office, the Governor seems determined to insult the victims of horrible crimes even further, rather than leave quietly and allow others to clean up his mess.

But with our court victory for victims, I have hope that the tides are turning and that justice will finally be served. I am also proud to have joined numerous district attorneys throughout Louisiana in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that clemency reviews for death row offenders are conducted in an open, transparent and legal process.

What our State needs is leadership, the kind that we exhibited in this situation. By standing up for the most vulnerable and protecting the rule of law, we supported victims and justice — not carnage and chaos. As a result, the people of our State got one step closer to having a criminal justice system that fulfills its promises.  

Jeff Landry
Attorney General - Louisiana

Kennedy on saltwater intrusion in southeast Louisiana: Government dealing with problem

“I am worried about this because about a million of my 4.6 million people in my state depend on this river for drinking water . . . but I want the Senate and I want my people to understand that their local, their state and their federal governments are dealing with this problem.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today addressed the saltwater intrusion into fresh water sources in southeast Louisiana.

Key comments from Kennedy’s remarks include:

“Now, I am an optimist who worries. I am worried about this because about a million of my 4.6 million people in my state depend on this river for drinking water. And we're in the middle of watching the saltwater come up the river and we don't think it's going to stop coming up the river until sometime around, I don't know, the end of October, maybe. We could be wrong, but I want the Senate and I want my people to understand that their local, their state and their federal governments are dealing with this problem.”

. . .

“First, I want to thank President Biden. President Biden declared a disaster declaration, which allows us to get the assistance of FEMA and I'm very, very grateful for that.

“Number two. Our Corps of Engineers is involved. They're very able people. Our Corps of Engineers, below the city of New Orleans, has built an underwater dam.”

. . .

“Number three, the Corps of Engineers and FEMA are both prepared, if necessary, to deliver us fresh water, if we need it, by barge. And if you ever wonder about the might of the federal government, and particularly our Corps of Engineers—again, I can't thank them enough—they can deliver up to 36 million gallons of fresh water a day. So, thank you, Corps of Engineers, and I want my people back home to know that so they won’t be worried.”

Background:

The Mississippi River is experiencing record low water levels. That allows saltwater from the Gulf to creep upriver into the freshwater areas that provide drinking water to parts of southeast Louisiana.

The only long-term solution is for the upper Mississippi River Valley to receive ample rain, which would raise the level of the Mississippi River and push the saltwater back into the Gulf.

Until then, Louisiana, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are investing in mitigation efforts. The Corps estimates these efforts will last at least three months.

This September, saltwater started seeping over the Mississippi River’s man-made sill, the equivalent of an underwater levee, in Plaquemines Parish.

On Sept. 27, 2023, FEMA declared this a federal emergency. Accordingly, FEMA is authorized to provide assistance for emergency measures for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes.

Saltwater is expected to reach New Orleans later in October. The Corps is currently raising the underwater sill in Plaquemines Parish by 25 feet in order to slow the progress of saltwater creeping up the Mississippi River.

Fresh water is also being barged into water treatment plants in affected areas.

Kennedy’s full remarks are available here:

Congressman Steve Scalise to run for House Speaker

It is with a strong sense of responsibility and purpose that I seek the House Republican Conference’s nomination for Speaker of the House.

Read my letter to my colleagues: pic.twitter.com/G6YDd2SjCD

— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) October 4, 2023

On Wednesday, Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise (R-La.) announced his bid for speaker of the House.

In a post on X formally Twitter, Congressman Scalise wrote, "It is with a strong sense of responsibility and purpose that I seek the House Republican Conference’s nomination for Speaker of the House."

Read more: Congressman Steve Scalise to run for House Speaker

LAGOP: It is Time to Unite Behind Jeff Landry

With less than two weeks to go until Election Day on October 14th, we are entering the final phase of Louisiana’s unique open primary. Our candidates have suffered long and hard these many months, but the next several days will be critical. This is no time to rest, and the same can be said for the campaign staffs, their consultants and volunteers, as well as our party activists.

So you are exhausted and may need some motivation, eh? Well, I have a few brief words to write which may perk you up. Basically, I want to briefly remind everyone of what we’ve endured for almost eight years under the failed administration of John Bel Edwards, and why conservatives must win these upcoming races.

To begin, remember all the bitter, hard-fought special sessions? Not counting the legally required eight regular sessions and granting John Bel Edwards the two organizational sessions held at the beginning of each term, Louisiana’s divided government required no less than fifteen special sessions, three of which were veto sessions. Fun, huh? That must be some sort of record, and not one we ever want to beat. Unfortunately, that’s what happens when you have a Republican-led legislature and a governor who campaigned as a moderate Democrat (remember all those campaign promises in 2015), and then governed as a lefty.

And what about all the bad bills which did pass, and the good government and common-sense bills that John Bel and his Democrat minions defeated or vetoed during those twenty-three regular and special sessions (not counting the three veto sessions)? Well, the cost of governing Louisiana doubled, which means that we are now living on borrowed time. Our infrastructure and schools are still a mess, and when the federal government cuts back on those subsidies, which it eventually will, the state will go broke instantly. Come to think of it, that’s probably what the Democrats always wanted to happen anyway.

Too bad about conservative attempts to control spending, or clean up the welfare rolls, or prevent vaccine mandates and school closures, or audit the voter rolls and implement a host of other measures designed to protect the integrity of our elections. Never forget that we had to convene historic veto-override sessions just to keep biological males from taking over women’s sports, and to prevent the medically-sanctioned mutilation of vulnerable minor children claiming to suffer with gender dysphoria.

There were dozens more vetoes of good bills by John Bel that weren’t overturned, and hundreds of good bills which were defeated or never even filed, but all that can be fixed in the next administration. That is ultimately what we are fighting for in this election, and that is why we need to redouble our efforts in these last few days. Because we have already wasted almost eight years, we don’t have much time remaining to straighten things out- our fellow citizens are leaving Louisiana in droves and our businesses are departing or shutting down, thereby further eroding our already inadequate tax base.

It’s time to pull the lever for the one proven candidate with the will, the guts, and the energy to turn Louisiana around. That person is Jeff Landry, the only gubernatorial candidate endorsed by the Republican Party of Louisiana. Every poll since the beginning of this race has shown him to be far in the lead, with the support of more voters than all other conservatives and independents combined!

It is high time for Republicans, independents, and the remaining sane Democrats to rally around our candidate, Jeff Landry. There’s even a good possibility that he could win this election in the open primary on October 14th, and avoid the runoff on November 18th. That would allow him to begin the transition process over a month earlier, and to use the time to help elect other conservative candidates.

A brighter future for Louisiana is just around the corner, but only if we get out to vote and unite behind Jeff and our other conservative candidates, starting with early voting which has already begun.

Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Republican Party of Louisiana

LOGA Responds to Biden Administration’s New Five-Year Leasing Plan

BATON ROUGE, LA (September 29, 2023) - Today, the U.S. Department of Interior released the next Five-Year Plan for federal offshore oil and gas leasing. LOGA President Mike Moncla issued the following statement in response.

“As predictable as it is, it is still disappointing to see that the Biden administration’s war on the oil and gas industry rages on.

The Inflation Reduction Act promised us anywhere from zero to eleven offshore lease sales.

Now, they’re only committing to three for the next five years. This will curtail discoveries for years to come.

Adding to that, BOEM implemented another hurdle in the Programmatic Environmental Impact Study that is sure to add future delays.

Every other administration prior to this one had Five-Year Plans that enabled uninterrupted leasing activities.

This action will negatively impact Louisiana jobs and diminish GOMESA funds that are rebuilding our coast. The Gulf of Mexico provides 15% of our nation’s oil. These attempts to slow, or halt offshore production hurts all Americans at the pump, and makes us more dependent on foreign oil.

The reality is that worldwide demand for oil and gas is at record levels and our products will continue to be necessary for decades to come."

Kennedy Efforts To Protect NFIP Blocked

As you may have seen, Sen. Kennedy attempted for second time this month to extend the National Flood Insurance Program by passing his bill on the Senate floor. His effort—which would have prevented the NFIP from lapsing on Sept. 30 by extending the program for three months—was blocked.

Key remarks from Kennedy are below:

 0:00 – 1:06 “I will be the first to concede that America needs a National Flood Insurance Program that looks like we designed it on purpose. What we have now does not look like that. To call it imperfect is an understatement, but only thing worse than having what we have right now is to not have a National Flood Insurance Program at all. The fact of the matter is, that for all practical purposes people who are at risk for flooding cannot buy from the private markets, which means they can’t buy a home, which means their mortgages would be foreclosed upon. That's why we have a National Flood Insurance Program.”

1:16 – 2:27 “I believe the government is going to shut down tomorrow or at least Saturday, rather. I hope not, but I believe it is. And if it does, the National Flood Insurance Program will be shut down. I don’t want to scare people half to death—it doesn't mean that FEMA, which runs the NFIP, will stop paying claims, but it will shut down commerce if nothing else because FEMA can’t issue new policies. And again, I realize it's not perfect, but we are in hurricane season. Let me say that again: We are in hurricane season. Is this important to my state? You bet, but it's not just important to my state. It's important to every single coastal state. And that's why I would like to see us expand this program for a very, very short period of time. My bill is a clean extension. It doesn't make any changes to the program. I wish I had the authority to make changes, but I don't.”

10:15 – 10:55 “The homes in Louisiana that need flood insurance are not mansions. These are the homes of working people. These are modest homes being paid for by people who get up every day, go to work, obey the law, pay their taxes, and try to do the right thing by their kids. I don't know about millionaires that Senator Paul was talking about. Again, maybe they're in Kentucky, but they're not in Louisiana. My coast is a working coast.”

15:34 – 17:13 “When reality calls you shouldn't hang up. And that's what we've done here today. Because this government is going to shut down. I hope I'm wrong—God, I hope I'm wrong, but I think this government is going to shut down midnight Sunday night, and the National Flood Insurance Program is going to shut down right smack dab in the middle of hurricane season. I thought the first role of government—I thought this is what Republicans believe; I thought this is what Libertarians believe—the first role of government is to protect people and property. And all the United States Senate has done today is expose ordinary Americans—not millionaires, ordinary Americans—who live in modest homes, who get up every day—I’m going to say it again—and go to work, and obey the law, and pay their taxes, and try to do the right thing by their kids, and whose home is their biggest asset, and we're going to tell them, ‘It’s okay. Even though you can't buy the flood insurance from a private provider, the government is going to stop you from buying it from the National Flood Insurance Program.’ Right the middle of hurricane season. That’s not what this country is all about.”

Background on Kennedy’s efforts to improve and protect flood insurance for the 500,000 Louisianians who depend on it:

• On Sept. 28, 2023 the Senate blocked Kennedy’s bill to protect flood insurance for three months from passing on the Senate floor. The bill would have extended the NFIP through Dec., 31, 2023.

• On Sept. 13, 2023 the Senate blocked Kennedy’s NFIP Extension Act of 2023 from passing on the Senate floor. The bill would have extended the NFIP through Sept., 30, 2024.

• In July 2023, Kennedy first introduced the NFIP Extension Act of 2023 to ensure that the program would not lapse on its expiration date.

• In June 2023, Kennedy helped introduce the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act to reauthorize the NFIP for five years and cap annual policy premium hikes.

• In 2019, Kennedy’s National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2019 became law.

• In 2018, Kennedy’s first National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act became law.  

• In addition, Kennedy has helped ensure that multiple continuing resolutions to fund the federal government have included an extension of the NFIP.

Landry Receives Endorsement of Over 20 Community Papers Across Louisiana

LAFAYETTE, La. —Today, Jeff Landry announced that he has received the endorsement of the Louisiana State Newspapers which includes 24 community papers across the State. These newspapers are some of Louisiana’s oldest newspapers representing Abbeville, Kaplan, Kinder, Franklin, Mamou, Basile, Marksville, Morgan City, Pierre Part, Bunkie, Oakdale, Columbia, Rayne, Church Point, Rayville, Crowley, St. Martinville, Delhi, St. Joseph, Eunice, Ville Platte, Gueydan, and Oak Grove Louisiana.

“We are honored to have received the endorsement of over 20 community papers across Louisiana. These are some of the oldest papers in our State, and they know their communities best. As Governor, we look forward to giving Louisiana a government as good as its people,” said Jeff Landry.

Excerpts from the endorsement:

“…Jeff will always do what’s right – not what’s politically popular.”

“As Louisiana’s Attorney General for the past eight years Jeff has worked tirelessly to stem the opioid crisis, prosecute welfare fraud, restructure and reform the Department of Justice and protect your Constitutional rights and successfully prosecute dangerous criminals that harm the good people of Louisiana’s quality of life.”

“Jeff has continuously supported law enforcement and is a strong advocate of a fair judicial system. He is passionate about upholding the rule of law and protecting and preserving our constitutional rights. Jeff will be the law-and-order Governor that Louisiana desperately needs.”

“He is a fearless advocate for the Constitution and a champion for the Louisiana he loves. With Jeff Landry as governor and a more business-friendly climate, Louisiana oil and gas jobs will power the nation and fuel the world. We urge Louisiana voters to choose Jeff Landry as our next Governor.”

Landry Launches Powerful Testimonies of Families of Crime Victims

LAFAYETTE, La. —Today, Jeff Landry released two powerful testimonials from Michele Anglin and Cortez Collins. Michele is the mother of Landry Anglin, 13, who was killed by a stray bullet in Shreveport’s South Highlands neighborhood in May of 2022. Cortez’s son, Corterion “Tootie” Collins, 17, was murdered in Vivian in a gun fight involving a repeat juvenile offender, also in 2022. These testimonials will air statewide on TV, radio, and digital. 

 “It doesn’t matter where you live, what color you are, where you grew up, or what you do—crime is destroying the lives of people across our State every single day. No one is safe,” said Jeff Landry. “Cortez Collins and Michele Anglin, who both suffered unspeakable tragedies, deserve a voice and their story deserves to be told. As Governor, we will finally say enough is enough. We will hold violent criminals accountable and ensure victims get the justice they deserve.”

Cortez Collins

“Tootie” Collins was a senior and athlete at North Caddo High School. He was murdered at the age of 17 by a repeat juvenile offender in broad daylight.

Watch Cortez Collins, father of Tootie Collins, testimony here.

“This is my son, he was a senior in high school. Tootie had a bright future, with his whole life ahead of him. But his life was taken by someone who should have never been on the streets. Just a senseless crime. As a police officer, I’ve seen so many families torn apart taken by crime. After booking and processing, we see the same ones right back out. It's a revolving door. Makes me very upset. There’s no justice, when murderers are allowed to walk free. I'm speaking out because I want to see a change, a real change. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. Jeff Landry was a police officer and a sheriff’s deputy and he knows what’s wrong with our criminal justice system. Jeff didn’t care about black, white…Jeff Landry cared about me, because I was a human being. He cares about people. Jeff Landry will hold everyone accountable. He will make our streets safe again. That is why I am supporting Jeff Landry for governor.”

Michele Anglin

Landry Faith Anglin, an eighth-grader at Caddo Middle Magnet, was sitting with her family when a stray bullet went through her grandparents house and struck Landry, killing her. 

 Watch Michele Anglin’s, mother of Landry Anglin, testimony here.

“My daughter was creative, happy, excited about the future. My daughter was beautiful. All of a sudden we heard a pop. Landry bent over and screamed-help me. That is when I knew. It was a scream you never forget. I grabbed her and said I am here, mommas here, tell me what’s wrong. And she never said another word. Landry was murdered by someone who should have never been on the streets. Jeff Landry knows where the system is broken and wants to make our State safer. We need a law and order governor.”

LAGOP: Dr. John Fleming Releases New Ad in the Race for State Treasurer

Dr. John Fleming is Louisiana's conservative choice for State Treasurer. He has earned the endorsements of the Republican Party of Louisiana, Congressmen Mike Johnson, Clay Higgins, and Jim Jordan, former Congressman Ralph Abraham, as well as the Republican Party Executive Committees in fourteen different parishes across our state.

If elected as State Treasurer, Dr. Fleming is committed to safeguarding the taxpayers' dollars from waste, fraud, and corruption. Louisiana deserves a leader who will prioritize fiscal accountability and work diligently to ensure that every penny of your tax dollars is used efficiently and effectively.

Be sure to watch Dr. Fleming's new ad by clicking HERE. Early voting begins this Saturday, September 30 and runs through October 7, excluding Sunday, October 1. Election Day is Saturday, October 14!

Kennedy, Republican colleagues demand Schumer restore decorum, Senate dress code

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and 44 other Republican senators in demanding that Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) restore the traditional, business dress code for senators on the Senate floor.

“For more than 230 years, the United States Senate has served the American people with honor and dignity. As members of this esteemed body, we understand the seriousness our positions require,” the senators wrote.

“The Senate is a place of honor and tradition, and the Senate floor is where we conduct the business of the American people. It is where we debate the policies which impact every American family and, when necessary, it is where we must make the gravest decision imaginable—whether to send our fellow Americans into battle to defend the freedoms we all hold dear. The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs,” they continued.

 “Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent. We the undersigned members of the United States Senate write to express our supreme disappointment and resolute disapproval of your recent decision to abandon the Senate’s longstanding dress code for members, and urge you to immediately reverse this misguided action,” the senators concluded.

 The letter is available here.

Steve Scalise Endorses Jeff Landry

“Jeff is a good man who I trust to fix the very real problems we’re all facing.”

LAFAYETTE, La. —Today, Jeff Landry announced that he has received the endorsement of Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Watch Steve Scalise’s full endorsement video by clicking here. 

 Steve Scalise’s endorsement statement: 

“One of the most important elections of our time is just around the corner.  We need a Governor with the courage, vision and proven track record of standing up for our families.  We need someone who will finally get our state moving in the right direction.  I know that Jeff Landry is that leader.  I’m proud to call Jeff Landry a friend.  Shoulder to shoulder we served in Congress and fought for this state and our shared values.  As Attorney General, Jeff Landry took on FEMA, fought back against big government, and protected our jobs and our way of life.  Jeff is a good man who I trust to fix the very real problems we’re all facing.  Problems like crime, education, and skyrocketing insurance costs.  That’s why I am proud to be voting for Jeff Landry.”

 Jeff Landry issued the following statement following Scalise’s endorsement:

“Steve Scalise is a champion for Louisiana and we are honored and humbled to have his endorsement.  This election is a pivotal time for our state, and a real opportunity to put Louisiana on the right path.  I look forward to working closely with Steve to fix our insurance crisis, restore law and order in our communities, and protect our children.” 

Richard Nelson Endorses Jeff Landry

LAFAYETTE, La. —Today, Jeff Landry announced that he has received the endorsement of Representative Richard Nelson in his race for Governor of Louisiana. Richard Nelson recently ended his bid for governor and in turn, put his support behind Jeff Landry.

In his statement, Nelson said:

“I ran for governor to improve the lives of the people of Louisiana, and we have been fortunate to travel to every corner of the state spreading the gospel of good government. While this was always going to be a difficult race, I am proud of the impact we made with the resources we had. I want to thank my supporters and especially my family for the sacrifices they have made on this journey."

“My heart will always be committed to Louisiana, and that is why I am happy to support Attorney General Landry to be our next governor. I believe that Jeff has the commitment and the courage to bring the fundamental reforms we need in state government. Our people need good jobs, good schools, and good health, and Jeff is the best candidate for the job.”

Jeff Landry was honored to receive the endorsement saying:

“We are honored to have the endorsement of Representative Richard Nelson. These past few months have proven that Richard is deeply committed and passionate about improving our state and the lives of folks across Louisiana. He and I both understand this race is an opportunity to chart a new course for Louisiana, one where our children and grandchildren want to stay and build a future. I look forward to continuing to unite folks across our state as we work to bring Louisiana a government as good as its people.”

Kennedy, Manchin introduce bipartisan resolution urging NATO allies to meet defense spending pledge

“By not meeting their own pledge to spend 2% of GDP on defense, our NATO allies are opening the door to further political instability. Every member of NATO must do its part, just as many countries are already doing, to deter bad actors like Russia from advancing their goals.”

WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced a resolution urging all member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to spend a minimum of 2% of their gross domestic product on defense.

“Friends tell friends the truth: By not meeting their own pledge to spend 2% of GDP on defense, our NATO allies are opening the door to further political instability. Every member of NATO must do its part, just as many countries are already doing, to deter bad actors like Russia from advancing their goals,” said Kennedy.

“To effectively confront the vast range of security risks we face—from Russia and China to cybersecurity, our NATO allies must fully meet defense spending commitments. Peace and stability do not come without a price and that’s why I am proud to introduce this resolution urging NATO members to strive toward the agreed-upon 2% of GDP defense spending allocation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this resolution to ensure every NATO state is shouldering the responsibilities of this defense alliance,” said Manchin.

The resolution also commends member countries including Greece, the United Kingdom, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia for taking strides to either meet or exceed the spending commitment.

Background:

• In 2006, member countries of NATO first agreed to spend 2% of GDP on defense. In 2014, at the NATO Summit in Wales, all member countries once again committed to maintain or move toward meeting the 2% defense spending minimum within 10 years.

• As of 2022, only 11 member countries were meeting the 2% minimum, including the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

• Many member countries issued statements pledging to meet the 2% minimum following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, yet many member countries are projected to not reach the minimum until as late as 2035.

• Kennedy recently commended NATO allies for increasing defense spending on the Senate floor and called on other countries to meet their commitments.

The resolution is available here

Landry Launches Eighth TV Ad: Fed Up

LAFAYETTE, La. — Today, Jeff Landry released his eighth televised advertisement in his campaign for Governor of Louisiana. The ad highlights Louisiana’s crime problem and how as governor, Jeff Landry will restore law and order. Watch the full ad here.

 “Louisiana, the worst in the nation for murder. 

Three of America’s most dangerous cities are right here. 

Violent crime is out of control. 

Juvenile crime is skyrocketing. 

Jeff Landry knows the system is broken. 

End catch and release.

Criminals should serve their time.

Woke judges and DAs should be held accountable. 

And victims and police deserve our respect. 

A governor who will finally restore law and order.”

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE JOHNSON CALLS FOR REPUBLICAN UNITY IN THE SELECTION OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

Pineville, Louisiana – In support of a widespread call for unity within the House Republican Delegation, State Representative Mike Johnson sent a letter addressed to colleagues and candidates for state representative, emphasizing the critical need for strong, reform-minded leadership to propel Louisiana toward a brighter future. He laid out a vision for unity in selecting a Republican candidate for Speaker of the House.

As Louisiana stands on the brink of transformative change, it is important to have a unified Republican Party in the House to effectively pass a bold agenda that will benefit the state and its citizens. His message made it unequivocally clear that he is not a candidate for Speaker of the House, nor does he endorse any specific candidate in the running.

In launching this project, the primary objective is to ensure that the process of selecting a Republican candidate for Speaker remains transparent and undivided.

To safeguard this process from outside interference, Representative Johnson pledged to support only the Republican candidate who secures the support of the caucus, regardless of who they are.

He now calls upon all Republicans to do the same, emphasizing that unity is essential for the prosperity of the chamber and the state. Representative Johnson encouraged fellow Republicans to join him in preserving the integrity of the selection process.

Johnson highlighted the immense potential for positive change in Louisiana, with the possibility of a Republican governor and super-majorities in both chambers, making it clear that the stakes are too high to squander this opportunity.

In support of a widespread call for unity and reform, Mike Johnson is ready to build a coalition that will set the tone for a more prosperous future for the state.

Oil & Gas Workers Association Endorses Jeff Landry for Governor

Lafayette, La. — Today, Jeff Landry announced that he has received the endorsement of the Oil & Gas Workers Association.

"It is an honor to receive the endorsement of the Oil & Gas Workers Association. The oil and gas industry built Louisiana and keeps our economy moving. Standing up for Louisiana's oil and gas industry, the jobs it creates, and the wellbeing of our families will be a top priority of mine as Governor,” said Jeff Landry

Matt Coday, President & Founder, Oil & Gas Workers Association issued the following statement:

“Our oil and gas jobs, economy, America’s energy independence, and our national security are under attack.”

“America’s Oil & Gas Workers need fighters in every state who will not back down to the Biden administration, extreme “environmentalists”, and federal agencies and courts weaponized against American workers and families.

“Jeff Landry understands USA oil and gas production funds roads, schools, hospitals, social programs, and our First Responders. As Attorney General, Jeff Landry has taken on the Biden administration to protect our oil and gas jobs and secure Louisiana’s economy.”

“With Jeff Landry as governor and a more business-friendly climate, Louisiana oil and gas jobs will power the nation and fuel the world.”

“Oil & Gas Workers Association proudly endorses Jeff Landry for Governor and encourages all Louisianans to support him with your vote on October 14.”

LANDRY: The Trouble with Woke DAs And Post-Conviction Plea Deals

Imagine the unthinkable: your loved one is killed in a horrible crime. Upon notification, you experience a surge of grief, shock, anger, and disbelief; then you are plunged into Louisiana’s criminal justice system. After an investigation, the arrest is made; then a grand jury indicts the perpetrator with one count of second-degree murder. The killer pleads “not guilty.”

After months or even years of trial preparation, you’re in court for several days – experiencing those same raw feelings all over again as lawyers on both sides make their arguments to the jury. The facts of the case stick to you like glue; and by the end of the trial, you feel tarred and feathered with emotions, regrets, and what ifs. After a short period of time, the jury comes back with a unanimous verdict of guilty.

A few weeks later, the man who ended your loved one’s life and destroyed your own is sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The appeals process proceeds, during which the killer is defeated again, and again, and again. Slowly, you find yourself able to relax a little more, let go of some anger, and eventually find a sense of calm. And as the decades roll by, you find comfort in justice being served and the saga being over.

But then — suddenly — over 20 years later, the District Attorney surprises everyone by granting a post-conviction plea deal. This backroom deal eliminates the unanimous verdict for second-degree murder, instead free-passing a lesser charge of manslaughter. Gone is the sentence of life imprisonment; now it is simply 35 years with credit for time served. The murderer you thought would never see the free world again could now be standing behind you in the checkout line at your local grocery store.

Unfortunately, this is no longer a hypothetical situation; and for too many, this is a fearful reality because of La. C.Cr.P. Article 930:10. In 2021, the Louisiana Legislature unanimously passed SB 186 and John Bel Edwards signed it into law as Act 104. While proponents claimed it would “enhance the judiciary’s authority” and “conserve judicial economy,” the truth is it enables district attorneys to serve as kings over their fiefdoms – issuing pardons to anyone at all, without any limitations or constraints.

Naturally, no one wants innocent individuals to rot in jail. That is why our appeals process exists: to give defendants the opportunity to prove their factual innocence. However, once a verdict has been finalized, there are no more ‘get out of jail free’ cards...until Act 104. And while most DAs are honorable and only a few have ever used this statute, Jason Williams in New Orleans has made it a method for emptying jails and releasing offenders back into the streets. He has granted pardons left and right to rapists and murderers, further feeding chaos in one of the most dangerous cities in America.

These woke, hug-a-thug policies have very real consequences. After Williams released convicted killer Henry Talley through a post-conviction plea deal, Talley was arrested for fatally shooting 28-year-old mother and nursing assistant Asia Davis. Ms. Davis was pelted with bullets and left to bleed out in front of her apartment complex in the middle of a service road and in clear view of passing traffic. For the victims of the original crimes and the victims of any future crimes perpetrated by offenders like Talley, my office and I are pushing back to end this madness.

Pardons, acts of mercy, and the power of clemency have belonged to the governor since 1804. Even then, reprieves are only granted to those who receive a “favorable recommendation of the Board of Pardons.” To grant a district attorney unfettered power to pardon any defendant by tossing out a final “conviction, sentence, or habitual offender status” without proving factual innocence is not only unconstitutional but also insulting to the victims and their families.

That is why I challenged the statute in court allowing for post-conviction plea agreements; and last week, we delivered a win for victims and their families. The judicial branch should never have been granted this level of power; and on Friday, the Louisiana Supreme Court agreed. The court upheld the rule of law and stopped this unconstitutional pathway to freedom for some of our State’s worst offenders.

The measure of our success will never be how many violent offenders we let out of jail; rather, it will be how we keep people from going to jail. As I have said many times before: when good people do bad things, they deserve a second chance; but when bad people do bad things, they should be put away for a long time. Fortunately, the Supreme Court made that possible by removing this unconstitutional path to injustice.  

Jeff Landry
Attorney General - Louisiana

Kennedy, Tillis demand AG Garland protect Second Amendment rights of citizens of New Mexico

“Governor Grisham has issued an order which is being used to blatantly trample on the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of New Mexico, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) must act swiftly to stop this unconstitutional power grab.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in demanding Attorney General Merrick Garland protect the Second Amendment rights of New Mexicans from the unconstitutional actions of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

In a letter to Attorney General Garland, the senators urged the Department of Justice to respond swiftly to Governor Lujan Grisham’s unconstitutional Executive Order 2023-130, which violates the individual right to bear arms upheld in cases like District of Columbia v. Heller and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) also signed the letter.

“Governor Grisham has issued an order which is being used to blatantly trample on the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of New Mexico, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) must act swiftly to stop this unconstitutional power grab,” wrote the senators.

“While the public health order may invoke state law to authorize this unconstitutional infringement, it should be no match for the authority which the DOJ has to enforce our rights under the U.S. Constitution. That is why we are calling on you to enforce the Constitution and intervene on behalf of the constitutional rights of New Mexicans to stop this unconstitutional act from standing,” the senators continued.

“By preventing certain New Mexicans from exercising their constitutional rights to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home, Governor Grisham is violating the Second Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment, and Article IV of the Constitution. This is a chilling action, and it is imperative that your Department act immediately to show that this kind of unconstitutional abuse will not be tolerated in New Mexico or anywhere else in the United States,” the senators concluded.

The full letter is available here.