Nancy Landry
\ Nancy Ruth Landry, also known as Nancy L. Matthews (born June 10, 1962), is a family practice lawyer from Lafayette, Louisiana, who was from 2008 to 2019 a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 31 (Lafayette and Vermilion parishes). She won the seat in a special election in 2008 upon the resignation of Republican Donald Trahan. In the 2007 nonpartisan blanket primary, Landry had come within thirty-three votes of defeating Trajan.
Nancy Ruth Landry | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the 31st district | |
| In office 2008–2019 | |
| Preceded by | Donald Trahan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 10, 1962 Japan |
| Political party | Independent (until 2008) Republican (2008–present) |
| Residence | Lafayette, Louisiana, USA |
| Alma mater | Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU |
| Occupation | Family Law Counselor |
| Website | Rep. Nancy Landry |
She resigned the post seven months prior to the expiration of her third term to become the chief of staff in the office of Republican Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.[1]
Personal
Because of her father's United States Navy career, Landry was born in Japan and currently resides in Lafayette. She is a mother of two.[2]
Education
Nancy Landry received her education from the following institutions:
- JD, Louisiana State University Law Center in Baton Rouge, 1990
- BA, Psychology, Louisiana State University, 1985[2]
Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees
Nancy Landry has been a member of the following committees:
- Member, Acadiana Delegation
- Member, Louisiana Innovation Council
- Member, Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus
- Member, Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation
- Member, Rural Caucus[2]
Opposition to Marriage and Conscience Act
On May 19, 2015, Landry, a former Independent, was one of four Republicans on the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee — the others were Mike "Pete" Huval of Breaux Bridge, Gregory A. Miller of Norco, and Clay Schexnayder of Gonzales — who voted to table on a 10-2 vote the proposed Marriage and Conscience Act, authored by Republican Representative Mike Johnson of Bossier Parish and strongly supported by the conservative Louisiana Family Forum. Only fellow Republican Ray Garofalo of Chalmette stood with Johnson. Governor Bobby Jindal, who supported the legislation, then issued an executive order to implement the measure. Johnson said that he will in 2016, if he is reelected, re-introduce the measure because he prefers a statutory law to address the issue. Johnson explained that the measure is designed to block the state government from pulling licenses or tax benefits from a company because of the owner's counter view of same-sex marriage. Among Democrats who opposed the measure were committee chairman Neil Abramson and Joseph Bouie, Jr., both of New Orleans, Patrick O. Jefferson of Arcadia, and Alfred C. Williams of Baton Rouge.[3]
Landry opposes corporal punishment in public schools
Considered a Moderate Republican, Landry in 2017 was the chairman of the House Education Committee. In that capacity she supported legislation by African-American State Representative Barbara Norton of Shreveport to ban corporal punishment in all Louisiana public schools, but the measure was defeated, 61-34. Norton claims that other effective measures of discipline can be formulated. Landry argues that only parents should be able to use physical restraint to discipline children. More than half of the Louisiana school districts, thirty-eight of sixty-nine, permit corporal punishment.[4]
2015 reelection
Landry handily 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).[5]
Electoral history
Louisiana State Representative, 31st Representative District, 2007[6]
October 20, 2007
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Nancy Landry | Independent | 7,332 (49.89%) | Defeated |
| Donald Trahan | Republican | 7,365 (50.11%) | Elected |
Special Election, Louisiana State Representative, 31st Representative District, 2008[6]
November 4, 2008
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Nancy Landry | Republican | 11,528 (66.34%) | Elected |
| Troy Theriot | Republican | 5,850 (33.66%) | Defeated |
References
- "State Rep. Nancy Landry resigns to work for Secretary of State". The Monroe News-Star. July 18, 2019.
- "Representative Nancy R. Landry's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- Emily Lane (May 19, 2015). "Louisiana's religious freedom bill effectively defeated in committee". Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- Greg Hilburn (May 8, 2017). "Spare the rod in public schools? No way, House says". The Shreveport Times. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
- "Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- "Elections Division". Louisiana Secretary of State. Archived from the original on 2009-01-17. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
External links
- Louisiana House of Representatives - Nancy R. Landry official government website
- Nancy Landry Campaign official campaign website
| Preceded by Donald Trahan |
Louisiana State Representative for District 31 (Lafayette and Vermilion parishes) Nancy Ruth Landry |
Succeeded by Pending |