Nancy Ruth Landry, also known as Nancy L. Matthews (born June 10, 1962), is an American politician who has served as the Secretary of State of Louisiana since January 2024. She previously served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for the 31st district from 2008 to 2019.

Nancy Landry
Secretary of State of Louisiana
Assumed office
January 8, 2024
GovernorJeff Landry
Preceded byKyle Ardoin
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from the 31st district
In office
January 2008 – July 16, 2019
Preceded byDonald Trahan
Succeeded byJonathan Goudeau
Personal details
Born
Nancy Ruth Landry

(1962-06-10) June 10, 1962 (age 62)
Japan
Political party
Children2
EducationLouisiana State University (BA, JD)

Early life and education

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Landry was born in Japan while her father was serving in the United States Navy.[1][failed verification] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Louisiana State University in 1985 and a Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1990.

Landry is of no relation to Governor Jeff Landry.[2]

Career

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Landry was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in November 2007 and assumed office in January 2008.[3]

On May 19, 2015, Landry, a former independent, was one of four Republicans on the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee who voted to table on a 10–2 vote the proposed Marriage and Conscience Act, authored by Republican Representative Mike Johnson of Bossier Parish.[4]

Considered a moderate Republican, Landry was the chair of the House Education Committee in 2017. In that capacity, she supported legislation by State Representative Barbara Norton of Shreveport to ban corporal punishment in all Louisiana public schools, but the measure was defeated by a vote of 61–34.[5]

Landry won reelection in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 24, 2015. She received 10,005 votes (84.7 percent) to Democrat Evan H. Wright's 1,890 ballots (15.3 percent).[6]

Landry resigned from the House seven months prior to the expiration of her third term to become the chief of staff in the office of Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.[7] She was succeeded by Jonathan Goudeau.[8]

She was elected as Louisiana Secretary of State in the November 18, 2023 election.[9][10]

References

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  1. ^ "Representative Nancy R. Landry's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  2. ^ https://lailluminator.com/2023/11/18/nancy-landry/#:~:text=Landry%2C%20who%20is%20not%20related,to%20Collins%2DGreenup's%2032%25. [bare URL]
  3. ^ "Nancy Landry". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  4. ^ Emily Lane (May 19, 2015). "Louisiana's religious freedom bill effectively defeated in committee". Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  5. ^ Greg Hilburn (May 8, 2017). "Spare the rod in public schools? No way, House says". The Shreveport Times. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  6. ^ "Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  7. ^ Hilburn, Greg (2019-07-18). "State Rep. Nancy Landry resigns to work for Secretary of State". The Monroe News-Star. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  8. ^ Simmons, Hannah. "Four vie for District 31 seat vacated by Nancy Landry". The Advocate. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  9. ^ Karlin, Sam (2023-05-08). "Nancy Landry, former state representative, joins field for Secretary of State". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  10. ^ Karlin, Sam (2023-10-14). "Races for Louisiana secretary of state, treasurer head to runoffs". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
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Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Secretary of State of Louisiana
2023
Most recent
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of Louisiana
2024–present
Incumbent