Louisiana voters push back against Governor’s bold changes

A Narrow Mandate, A Bold Plan

In 2023, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry secured his position with just 50.3% of the vote—a razor-thin margin that hardly signaled a mandate for sweeping change. Yet within two years, he aggressively pushed for nine constitutional amendments in 2025, aiming to reshape the state’s legal, educational, and economic landscape.

The results? A historic rejection.

The Amendments That Died

Landry’s proposals included:

• Expanding adult criminal charges for minors
• Rewriting tax laws
• Easier firing of state workers
• Splitting a predominantly Black school district to create a new one serving a mostly White city
• Raising teacher pay by raiding special funds
• Cutting business taxes while raising the retirement age for judges

Voters spoke loudly: 0-9. Every proposal failed, with over 60% opposition on four measures.

A Bipartisan Rejection

While Black voters and Democrats led the opposition, disapproval wasn’t confined to one group. Even in Landry’s hometown of St. Martin Parish, where he won in 2023, half of his supporters turned against his amendments.

Across Louisiana:

• Jefferson Parish: High turnout rejected four of five proposals.
• Republican strongholds like Cameron and Livingston: Voters rejected most changes—except in Livingston, where they narrowly approved the school district split.
• St. Tammany Parish: Rejected four of five amendments by wide margins.

The Fallout: Collapsing Support

Landry’s approval rating plummeted from 56% to 36% in under two years. Polls now show Louisianans overwhelmingly disapprove of his leadership, with many unsure or actively opposed.

Even Republican allies are questioning his direction. A recall effort is gaining traction, and protests erupt over his voting map redistricting, which critics argue weakens Black voters’ influence.

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Lessons for Louisiana

Landry’s 0-9 losing streak sends a clear message: Louisianans want stability, not rapid ideological shifts. His best path forward? Pausing, listening, and focusing on real needs—rather than aligning with national political winds.

The question remains: Will he heed the warning—or double down?