Skip to main content
Close
1964-1972

John McKeithen

John McKeithen served as Governor of Louisiana from 1964 to 1972, becoming the first twentieth-century governor to serve two consecutive terms. His administration successfully began school integration, protecting civil rights activists and ensuring 200,000 children attended integrated public schools by the end of his term. McKeithen also focused on economic development, attracting industry to the state and supporting the construction of the Superdome for the New Orleans Saints. He pursued government reform by improving the state code of ethics, extending civil service, and directing a constitutional amendment allowing governors to serve consecutive terms.

Close
1989-1984

David Treen

David "Dave" C. Treen was elected Governor of Louisiana in 1979, becoming the first Republican to hold the office since Reconstruction. As governor, he worked to improve education by raising teacher pay and establishing the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts at Northwestern State University. His administration also created the Department of Environmental Quality, reformed workers’ compensation, improved the Code of Criminal Procedure, and resumed capital punishment. Treen signed a law requiring the teaching of “creationism science,” which was later struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, and he made efforts to strengthen historically black colleges and universities while appointing more Black officials to public office than any prior governor.

Close
1988-1992

Buddy Roemer

Charles E. "Buddy" Roemer, III was elected Governor of Louisiana in 1988 after leading a crowded primary and taking office following Edwin Edwards’ withdrawal. During his term, he increased teacher pay, strengthened the Department of Environmental Quality, and toughened campaign finance laws. His efforts to revamp the state tax system and advance education reform were largely blocked by the legislature. Late in his term, Roemer switched to the Republican Party but was unable to secure broad support, ultimately finishing third in his reelection bid in 1991.

Close
1972, 1976, 1983, 1991

Edwin Edwards

Known for his quick wit and charm, Edward left a lasting mark on Louisiana by championing a constitutional convention, reforming the severance tax on crude oil, and helping to bridge the racial divide that had separated Louisianans for much of the twentieth century. Over the course of his career, he was the only political leader in the nation to serve in all three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial, across all three levels: local, state, and national. He also holds the distinction of being the only four-term governor in Louisiana’s history.

Close
1996-2004

Mike Foster

Murphy James “Mike” Foster Jr. never set out to become Governor, but his frustration with the lack of responsiveness in state government pushed him into politics. Once in office, he quickly became a popular leader, guiding Louisiana to lead the nation in debt reduction and eliminating the state sales tax on food and most utilities. He is also remembered for creating the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship, establishing the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, and playing a key role in securing an NBA franchise for the state.

Close
2004-2008

Kathleen Blanco

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco made history in 2004 as the first woman elected Governor of Louisiana. Her administration focused on raising educational standards, expanding access to children’s health insurance, reforming the juvenile justice system, and launching one of the most ambitious economic development programs in state history, attracting nearly $24 billion in new investments. In 2005, she led Louisiana through Hurricane Katrina, overseeing the evacuation of more than a million residents, commanding the largest deployment of National Guard troops by any governor, and securing billions in federal aid for recovery and rebuilding. She also created the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to strengthen Louisiana’s wetlands and defenses against future storms.

Close
1944-1948, 1960-1964

James "Jimmie" Davis

Jimmie Davis, a country-western singer best known for the song “You Are My Sunshine,” served two nonconsecutive terms as Governor of Louisiana. During his administrations, he oversaw the construction of the Sunshine Bridge over the Mississippi River, authorized the building of the new Governor’s Mansion, and supported the development of the Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Sabine River. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1972 and remained active in public life until his death in 2000 at the age of 101.

Close
2008-2016

Bobby Jindal

Piyush "Bobby" Jindal was elected in 2007 as Louisiana’s youngest governor since Reconstruction and the nation’s first Indian American governor. His administration emphasized fiscal conservatism, repealing the Stelly Plan and resisting tax increases while facing significant budget shortfalls that affected higher education and health care. He expanded school choice through a statewide voucher program, though it was later struck down by the courts. Jindal also led the state’s response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, pressing federal authorities for stronger action and proposing coastal protection measures.

Close
2016-2024

John Bel Edwards

John Bel Edwards served as Governor of Louisiana from 2016 to 2024. During his tenure, he expanded Medicaid, stabilized the state budget, reformed criminal justice policies, and led the state through major emergencies, including Hurricanes Laura and Ida and the COVID-19 pandemic. He prioritized coastal protection and climate resiliency, overseeing $15.4 billion in coastal restoration projects and approving Louisiana’s first Climate Action Plan in 2022.

Close
2024 - Current

Jeff Landry

Jeff Landry was elected Governor of Louisiana in 2023.

His administration has prioritized pro-growth policies, moving the state’s economic outlook from 31st to 18th and securing more than $50 billion in new investments. He has advanced major education reforms by expanding school choice, empowering parents, and helping Louisiana achieve its highest student testing scores in a generation. On public safety, Landry has championed law enforcement and implemented reforms that contributed to a 43% decline in violent crime in New Orleans.