Nungesser bid for governor likely with Kennedy out

By Christopher Tidmore
Contributing Writer

Sen. John Kennedy has made assurances to his supporters that he will not be seeking Louisiana’s gubernatorial seat in the next election.

“I have looked into my heart and decided to remain in the Senate and not to run for governor,” Kennedy wrote in an email last week. The email went on to say, “At this juncture, I just think I can help my state and my country more in the Senate.” And with that missive on Wednesday, January 4, Senator Kennedy’s exit meant that the 2023 Gubernatorial contest could truly begin.

For weeks, since stating that he was considering a bid for governor, every candidate other than Attorney General Jeff Landry was frozen in announcing their intentions to stand. It is not surprising. With millions in his campaign account and a recent statewide victory with almost 2/3 of the vote, Kennedy would have been the prohibitive favorite. His decision to stay in the U.S. Senate now opens opportunities for several candidates, most particularly Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

Nungesser has made no secret of his intention to run for governor, and his personal distaste for Landry’s style of politics. The lieutenant. governor possesses undeniable Republican bonafides. His father was the first GOP chairman and the architect of Dave Treen’s gubernatorial victory (as well as serving as his CAO). Billy Nungesser enjoyed a successful two terms as a Plaquemines Parish president, proud of his Republican registration, and arguably stood as the more conservative candidate for lieutenant governor against Jay Dardenne and John Young.

Nungesser’s election to the number two post in state government coincided, though, with John Bel Edwards’ win. At the time, Nungesser pledged to maintain a productive working relationship with the democratic governor, and for eight years thereafter proved one of his most loyal statewide elected officials, upon whom Edwards could always depend for support. The lieutenant governor’s collegiality proved a sharp contrast to Landry’s constant criticism and litigiousness against the Democratic administration.

Now, with Kennedy’s exit, a battle royale likely will ensue between the two men.

Enjoying the endorsement and help of Donald Trump Jr. and the extended Trump clan, Landry has doubled down on his MAGA support – not a bad strategy in a state that gave almost 60 percent support to the former president in both campaigns. Nungesser, in contrast, has sought to woo moderates and disaffected Democrats in a coalition with his existing Republican support. Nungesser’s past statewide bids have depended strongly on his geographic support in the metro New Orleans area. A large reason for Nungesser’s 50,000-vote victory over John Young eight years ago had to do with the fact that the Plaquemines Parish president won the West Bank of Jefferson Parish over the Jefferson Parish president.

Nungesser is well-liked in Greater New Orleans and has won over quite a few Democrats thanks to his friendship with Edwards and his effective “Louisiana Feed Your Soul” ad campaigns, which have featured local businesses across the state. His office’s new website, louisianamuseums.com, has created a central location for listings of all museums and cultural activities in the state – well beyond those under his purview as Secretary of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism or under the LSM. And frankly there is not a festival or fair which Nungesser has not attended in the last eight years, or at least, so it seems.

A recent controversy over the termination of State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton has created some tension as Nungesser potentially rolls out his gubernatorial campaign, but his bigger challenge remains the same as Jay Dardenne’s eight years ago. Can a Republican run in the middle against a more conservative challenger and a potential Democrat in the field? The former lieutenant governor attempted just that, and still could not earn a spot in the runoff. Moreover, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson has been floated as a potential Democratic candidate for governor. An African-American contender on the Left, and Landry on the Right might prove a challenge.

Of course, only Jeff Landry has formally announced for Governor. A campaign announcement from Billy Nungesser is expected in the coming two weeks.

This article originally published in the January 9, 2023 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.