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The Republican Party of Louisiana formally announced their decision to endorse State Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor Monday.
"Jeff Landry is a strong leader ready to transform Louisiana. Jeff’s conservative vision for our state is one of job creation, better schools, safer streets, and raising expectations of state government,” LAGOP Chairman Louis Gurvich said. "The Republican Party of Louisiana proudly endorses Jeff Landry and urges all Louisiana Republicans to unite and support his candidacy.”
"I have proven my commitment to our conservative principles, and my desire to bring people together to make our state a better place to live. As Governor, I will fight every day to make that a reality in Louisiana. Having the official endorsement of our party is a big deal, and it means we can combine forces and grow a campaign and party infrastructure across this state. We've watched our neighboring states thrive because conservatives were elected as Governor. United, our party will have that same success,” Attorney General Jeff Landry said.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nunguesser, a Republican and potential candidate, had panned news of the early endorsement.
"There is nothing more conservative, nothing more (Republican Party of Louisiana), than competition," Nungesser tweeted recently. "This endorsement process looks more than communist China that the Louisiana we know and love. Some think this is a coronation. Real republicans will make sure we have an election, not a monarchy."
"Others who are crying over this endorsement are just upset because they didn’t have the support within our party to win get the endorsement for themselves,” Gurvich said Monday.
The LAGOP's formal endorsement for Landry came shortly after U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said his decision to enter the governor's race would be coming soon.