Jeff Landry, a fiery Cajun from Acadiana, became Louisiana's 57th governor on Sunday after years of preparation.
“If I had 100 lives to live, I would live them all in Louisiana,” Landry, 53, said in his inauguration address on a cold evening. 
However, since becoming attorney general eight years ago, Landry constantly seemed to watch the governor's office. He became Louisiana's main threat to departing Gov. John Bel Edwards throughout two years by opposing him on several fronts.
This fall, Landry kept most significant Republican candidates out of the governor's race and won the October primary.
Landry secured conservative majorities in both Louisiana Legislature chambers to assist him implement his agenda after winning his election early.
Former congressman Landry built a career out of his tough, conservative politics before Trump popularized it.
Landry garnered global prominence in 2011 for violating etiquette during President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech and brandishing a “Drilling = jobs” placard. The lawmaker who declined Obama's debt ceiling meeting invitation at the White House was also notable.
As attorney general, Landry supported searches of public libraries for LGBTQ+ content and warned doctors that they may be prosecuted for violating the abortion ban. His state court victory overturned one of Edwards' first executive actions protecting LGBTQ+ state workers from discrimination.
Landry was a centrist governor candidate. He campaigned on moderate subjects like crime and economic growth.
His inauguration address stressed public safety as the next governor's main concern. Landry honored Michelle Anglin and Cortez Collins, who lost children to horrific violence, during his remarks.
“I sadly hear the victims of crime whose compelling voices have gone unheard for far too long, squelched by the misguided noise of those who would rather coddle criminals than live in peace,” Landry added.
“We owe no higher obligation as public servants than to fix this,” he added of the state's high violent crime rate.
Landry returned to conservative concerns in other parts of his address.
Without providing details, Landry said schools should promote “wholesome principles, not an indoctrination behind their mother’s back” and safeguard pupils from “unsuitable subject matter.”
“Our people seek government that reflects their values,” Landry stated. “I believe parents should have the most influence on their children's education.”
In other ways, Sunday's inauguration showed Landry's old rabble-rousing politics. Donald Trump Jr. and former Louisiana politician Tony Perkins, Family Research Council President, were recognized.
Landry covered a part of the Capitol grounds for the inauguration with “thin blue line” American flags, a contentious symbol of police enforcement unity that has been used to oppose Black Lives Matter.
Landry remarked, “To the men and women who protect us, who stand firmly on that thin blue line,” the rows of flags on these holy grounds and this profoundly empty chair show our gratitude.
“A new Louisiana will dawn,” Landry kicked off his speech.
“Our people did not send us here to settle scores or engage in battles created by secretly funded manipulators that profit by dividing Americans,” he stated.
Thos story first appeared here.