COMMUNITY Leader
MAN of the
PEOPLE
BY LIESEL SCHMIDT
T
here’s a saying about putting your money where your mouth is, an adage that God helps those who help themselves, and an axiom that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. For Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, it was these very principles, coupled with the frustrations of what wasn’t being done that served as the catalyst for launching his career into politics. “When Hurricane Katrina happened, I wasn’t happy with the response,” says Nungesser. “We didn’t see any elected officials. I rescued people and animals, and we were pretty much on our own. All of the attention was on New Orleans, so I decided to run for Plaquemines Parish president to make a difference. After the oil spill, I was on CNN every night, acting as the voice of our frustration. It did not seem like we had enough officials standing up for the coast, the animals, the seafood industry, and the people who lived here and were being affected. That’s when I decided to run for lieutenant governor.” Since then, Nungesser’s career has been dedicated to making a difference and making the people of the entire state of Louisiana feel heard and recognized. “My career as lieutenant governor has been challenging because I want to fix everything,” Nungesser admits. “It’s just my nature. We never say no to anyone who calls my office. We try to find help for everyone; and as challenging as it is to spread yourself so thin, we are making a difference all over Louisiana.”
NOVEMBER 2021
19
