State AG candidate speaks at Kiwanis

Louisiana attorney general candidate Jeff Landry spoke to the Kiwanis Club about how he plans to protect families, freedoms and rules of law should he be elected this fall.
“People disregard the rules of law, like the president with the Constitution,” Landry said Thursday as he addressed the club. “People see that. The average citizen thinks ‘Why do I have to follow the law?’”
Landry, a Republican from St. Martinville, is a former congressman. He is a former law enforcement officer, Louisiana Senate aide and executive director for St. Martin Economic Development Authority. Landry is the former owner of an oil and gas environmental service company, and after selling the company, he earned his law degree and became a business attorney.
“I was tired of working with lawyers,” Landry said, laughing. “I wanted to be my own lawyer, and then I learned the rule never to be your own lawyer.”
Landry said he hopes winning the attorney general seat will give him the chance to continue the work he did while a member of Congress.
“When I joined Congress, I didn’t need the job,” Landry said. “I was frustrated. We need to spend tax money wisely, and take care of basic things. There are wants and needs.”
“The biggest issue right now in Baton Rouge is the budget,” Landry continued. “I will run the AG office like I ran my congressional office. I paid my staffers right below the average of what congressional staffers were paid and told them that if they worked and worked together as a team, then I would give them a bonus (that would put them) above the average of what congressional staffers made.”
As attorney general, Landry said he will also work to push back on federal overreach at individual, business and local and parish government levels. He told the crowd that he is opposed to contingency fee contracts and legacy lawsuits.
“Legacy lawsuits are impeding our oil and gas industry,” Landry said. “We should not be creating an atmosphere that runs those guys out, especially with lower oil prices.”
As the election approaches, Landry said the state has great opportunities in its future.
“We have a unique situation with the state wide elections in October -- our governor is term limited,” Landry said, garnering some laughter and clapping from the audience. “All state wide elected officials are up for reelection. That means we get to clean the slate off.”
“We have unique opportunity,” Landry said. “Louisiana is a great state filled with great people and opportunities. I think the best days are still ahead despite the economic situation and the oil prices.”