Gov.-elect Jeff Landry names heads of Louisiana’s health, family and wildlife services

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov.-elect Jeff Landry announced Wednesday that he has chosen Ralph Abraham, a former Republican congressman who ran for governor in 2019, to lead the Louisiana Department of Health — the state’s largest agency that serves millions of residents.

Abraham first became a veterinarian before going to medical school and becoming a family medicine doctor. While in Congress, where he served three terms beginning in 2015, Abraham was a reliable Republican vote, supporting the policies of then-President Donald Trump and seeking to repeal former President Barack Obama’s federal health care overhaul.

“As a practicing physician, I look forward to ensuring our rural communities are well represented, the mental health crisis is properly addressed, and the Louisiana Health Department serves all of Louisiana’s health needs, no matter where you live,” Abraham said Wednesday.

Additionally, Landry named Madison Sheahan — who served as a state director for Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign and worked with South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on legislation relating to wildlife, agriculture, and natural resources — to lead the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The agency was in the spotlight earlier this year amid a developing scandal that saw a former member of the state wildlife commission plead guilty to a federal bribery charge.

David Matlock, a Caddo Parish juvenile court judge, was tapped to head the Department of Children and Family Services. The agency, which is tasked with keeping children safe, has faced staffing challenges and is under scrutiny after fentanyl-related deaths of multiple children despite warnings reported to the department.

“Each of these individuals has the leadership, knowledge, and skills that our state needs to put us on the right path forward,” Landry said.

The appointees will assume their new roles when Landry is inaugurated on Jan. 8.