No. 2 race becomes web of split relationships

Country music crooner Sammy Kershaw endorsed Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser for lieutenant governor Tuesday, prompting the campaign of incumbent Jay Dardenne to fire off a few choice words. As far as Republican soap operas go, this year’s contest for lieutenant governor offers up the best kind of storyline: alleged double-crossing, family divides and, of course, politics. Dardenne campaign manager Jason Hebert says Kershaw, who ran against Dardenne for lieutenant governor last year, was merely seeking revenge. Hebert says Kershaw wanted a department after endorsing Dardenne in 2010, but Dardenne didn’t deliver. “You can’t just create jobs for your friends,” Hebert says. “If this is the price of shrinking government, Jay will gladly take the heat.” Kershaw garnered 126,000 votes against an eight-person field during the last open primary for lieutenant governor. Dardenne, meanwhile, received 181,000 votes in the primary and went on to claim the crown. In addition to endorsing Dardenne last go-around, Kershaw’s communications director, Amy Jones, a Lafayette-based public relations pro, joined Dardenne’s camp during the 2010 runoff to handle press. But today, just like Kershaw, Jones has flipped sides and is now fielding media inquiries for Nungesser. If that weren’t enough, Dardenne’s campaign is employing the services of Nungesser’s niece, Baton Rouge consultant Sally Nungesser, who worked on the staff of former Gov. Dave Treen along with her uncle Billy. While Gov. Bobby Jindal, a longtime friend of the parish president, hasn’t yet gotten involved in the race, U.S. Sen. David Vitter is backing Nungesser. As for the Louisiana Republican Party, it has made no official announcement; but state Chairman Roger Villere is among the seven candidates, alongside Kershaw, who were handed a hearty defeat in 2010 by Dardenne. This year’s election, and all its drama, is slated for an Oct. 22 standoff. — Jeremy Alford