Video: New State Flag
Former Secretary of State Jay Dardenne unveiled a revamped state flag yesterday at a ceremony in which he was sworn in as the state’s new lieutenant governor.
The flag, like the old one, features Louisiana’s trademark brown pelican, but the new design adds three red drops of blood on the bird’s chest above the bird’s chicks.
The blood symbolizes Louisiana’s commitment to “sacrifice itself for its citizens,” according to a news release from the Secretary of State’s office.
The state Legislature passed a bill in 2006 requiring all new flags to include the drops.
In his last official act as secretary, Dardenne unveiled the new state flag at the Old State Capitol ceremony.
Dardenne, a former Republican leader in the Legislature, defeated Democrat Caroline Fayard in a statewide election earlier this month to take the position, earning 57 percent of the vote.
Dardenne fills the seat vacated by Mitch Landrieu, who left the office after being elected mayor of New Orleans. Dardenne will have to run for re-election next year.
Scott Angelle, who took the position upon Landrieu’s departure, recently switched his party allegiance to Republican, raising some speculation he might challenge Dardenne for the position next year.
The lieutenant governor oversees the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. He is also next in line should Gov. Bobby Jindal be incapacitated.
Dardenne has said his first priority will be repairing the brand of Louisiana’s seafood after the BP oil spill.
Dardenne is a University graduate and former Student Government president.
Tom Schedler, Dardenne’s chief aide, will assume the now-vacant secretary of state position.
 
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Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]