Cory Dennis, part of Jeff Landry’s inner circle, is new executive director of state GOP

Cory Dennis, who served as Jeff Landry’s campaign manager in last year’s governor’s race, is the new executive director of the Louisiana Republican Party.

Dennis’ appointment will give Landry a key lieutenant to help oversee the party’s activities at a time when the new governor is pushing the Legislature to expand his already considerable powers in state policy matters.

Dennis, who has worked for Landry in various positions since moving to Louisiana from Maryland in 2020, is the first African American to serve as the party’s executive director.

At the state party meeting in April, Dennis was only one of two African Americans in the room when the 230 state central committee members selected Derek Babcock, an insurance company owner from Livingston Parish, to replace Louis Gurvich as the Louisiana GOP chair. Landry endorsed Babcock and others in their races for the state central committee.

“I’m not there as his inside man,” Dennis said of the governor. “I’m there to help Derek and the rest of the executive committee move the party forward. I think you’ll see the party continue to grow, get stronger and be more influential.”

The state party played an important role in Landry’s campaign by giving him an early endorsement. That put the party machinery behind him and allowed big donors to make six-figure contributions to the party that could be used to elect him.

Dennis, 31, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He worked for Republicans in Maryland before moving to Louisiana to work for Landry.

Rhett Davis, a long-time party fixture, will continue in his role as an influential outside consultant.