Mitch Landrieu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mitch Landrieu
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Landrieu in April 2023
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| Senior Advisor to the President for Infrastructure Investment & Jobs | |
| In office November 15, 2021 – January 8, 2024 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| White House Coordinator for the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act Implementation Office | |
| In office November 15, 2021 – January 8, 2024 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Natalie Quillian |
| 61st Mayor of New Orleans | |
| In office May 3, 2010 – May 7, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Ray Nagin |
| Succeeded by | LaToya Cantrell |
| 75th President of the United States Conference of Mayors | |
| In office 2017–2018 |
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| Preceded by | Mick Cornett |
| Succeeded by | Stephen K. Benjamin |
| 51st Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana | |
| In office January 11, 2004 – May 3, 2010 |
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| Governor | Kathleen Blanco Bobby Jindal |
| Preceded by | Kathleen Blanco |
| Succeeded by | Scott Angelle |
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1988–2004 |
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| Preceded by | Mary Landrieu |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Burns |
| Constituency |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mitchell Joseph Landrieu
August 16, 1960 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Cheryl Quirk |
| Relations | Mary Landrieu (sister) |
| Children | 5 |
| Parent | Moon Landrieu (father) |
| Education | Catholic University of America (BA) Loyola University New Orleans (JD) |
Mitchell Joseph Landrieu (born August 16, 1960) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the Mayor of New Orleans from 2010 to 2018. Before that, he was the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana from 2004 to 2010. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Mitch Landrieu comes from a family of politicians. His father, Moon Landrieu, was also a Mayor of New Orleans. His sister, Mary Landrieu, served as a U.S. Senator.
In 2007, Landrieu won his second term as lieutenant governor. He defeated two Republican candidates. Later, on February 6, 2010, he was elected Mayor of New Orleans. He won with 66 percent of the votes. He was reelected mayor in 2014. He was the first mayor to win both elections without needing a second round of voting. He also won with support from both white and Black voters.
In November 2021, President Joe Biden chose Landrieu for an important role. He became the Senior Advisor for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This law helps improve roads, bridges, and other public systems. He started this job on November 15, 2021. He left this role on January 8, 2024. He then joined President Biden's 2024 reelection campaign as a co-chair.
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Early Life and Education
Mitch Landrieu grew up in the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans. He was the fifth of nine children born to Maurice "Moon" and Verna Landrieu. His mother's family had roots from Sicilian immigrants. Landrieu has shared that his heritage includes Italian, French, German, British, and African-American roots.
He attended Jesuit High School and graduated in 1978. He then went to The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. There, he earned a degree in political science and theater in 1982. In 1985, he earned a law degree from Loyola University Law School in New Orleans.
Before entering politics, Landrieu worked as a lawyer for 16 years. He became a mediator, helping people solve disagreements. He also taught about solving disputes at Loyola University Law School.
Political Journey
Serving in the Legislature
Landrieu was first elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1987. He served there for 16 years. This was the same seat his sister and father had held before him.
As a state representative, Landrieu worked to improve Louisiana's finances. He helped focus lawmakers on making government more efficient. He also supported projects that helped New Orleans' economy grow. These included building the Morial Convention Center and the National World War II Museum.
Landrieu also worked to reform the state's juvenile justice system. He wanted to focus on helping young offenders improve, not just punishing them. He also helped remove a tax on live music venues in New Orleans. He spoke out against the divisive ideas of former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
In 2003, Landrieu ran for lieutenant governor of Louisiana. He won the election in the first round of voting. This was his first time running for a statewide office.
When Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita hit in 2005, Landrieu helped with the emergency response. He then led efforts to rebuild Louisiana's tourism industry. He believed in bringing people together to solve big problems. He also started the "Cultural Economy" initiative. This program aimed to create jobs in Louisiana's music, food, film, and art industries.
Running for Mayor of New Orleans
Landrieu ran for Mayor of New Orleans in 1994 but did not win. He ran again in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Many people wanted new leadership after the storm. He made it to a runoff election but lost to the current mayor, Ray Nagin.
In 2010, Landrieu decided to run for mayor again. This time, he won with 66% of the vote. He became the first white mayor of New Orleans since his father left office in 1978.
Mayor of New Orleans
When Landrieu became mayor in 2010, New Orleans was still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The city faced financial problems. The New Orleans Police Department was also under investigation.
Landrieu worked to speed up the city's recovery. He secured billions of dollars in federal funding. This money helped rebuild schools, hospitals, and roads. He also improved the city's finances. New Orleans received its highest-ever credit rating during his time as mayor.
His main goal was public safety. He launched "NOLA for Life" in 2012. This plan aimed to reduce the murder rate through many programs. These included working with gangs and offering support for young people. The city saw a drop in murders after this program started.
Landrieu also worked to reform the New Orleans Police Department. He partnered with the Department of Justice to make changes. These changes included new rules for how police use force. They also focused on improving relationships between police and the community.
He also focused on creating jobs and growing the economy. New Orleans saw more than 20,000 new jobs added since 2010. The city became a hub for new businesses. Property values also increased.
In 2015, Landrieu called for the removal of four monuments in New Orleans. These monuments honored Confederate leaders. The New Orleans City Council approved their removal. After legal challenges, the statues were taken down in 2017. Landrieu gave a powerful speech explaining his decision. This speech received praise across the country.
Other Contributions
Landrieu was featured in filmmaker Spike Lee's documentaries. These films were about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
He has also supported humanitarian causes. In 2009, he supported The Jazz Foundation of America. This group helps jazz musicians, especially those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
From 2017 to 2018, Landrieu served as president of the United States Conference of Mayors. This is an organization for mayors of large cities. He worked with mayors from both parties. They focused on issues like improving infrastructure and creating jobs.
In 2018, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation gave Landrieu the Profile in Courage Award. This award recognized his leadership in removing the Confederate monuments. He also wrote a book called In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History.
White House Senior Advisor
As a Senior Advisor to President Biden, Landrieu helps coordinate important projects. In May 2023, he spoke about the national debt limit and the U.S. economy. He held press conferences to explain the White House's plans.
Personal Life
Mitch Landrieu is married to Cheryl P. Landrieu. She is also an attorney. They have five children together.
Images for kids
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Landrieu in 2007
