Nungesser running for lieutenant governor; Dardenne hits back

Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser officially launched his campaign for lieutenant governor today, and he and Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne are already exchanging barbs. Dardenne posted a YouTube video, repeating a robocall endorsement Nungesser made for his campaign back in November. At the time, Dardenne was in a runoff for the special lieutenant governor’s election with Democrat Caroline Fayard. In the message, Nungesser praised Dardenne, a fellow Republican, calling him “a strong advocate for good government, fiscal responsibility and investing in our people.” Hear the recording here. Nungesser fired back, saying that posting the recording was a clear indication that Dardenne doesn’t have a record to run on as lieutenant governor. “Attacking Billy Nungesser at his mere entrance into the race not only shows the strength of Billy’s candidacy, but how formidable an opponent he is,” a statement from the Nungesser campaign says. “In 8 months in office, Jay Dardenne has focused on his reelection campaign and not holding BP accountable, distributing the money effectively to help rebuild the economy of Louisiana or doing everything possible to revitalize a tourism industry that is suffering.”