NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Republican Billy Nungesser is the 54th Lieutenant  Governor of Louisiana. Nungesser snagged 55% of the votes from opponent, East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Democrat Melvin “Kip” Holden. Nungesser, former president of Plaquemines Parish spent about $2 million on the campaign and will replace outgoing Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne who has held office since 2010. The lieutenant governor serves as the figurehead for Louisiana’s $11 billion tourism industry, a role Nungesser believes he is best suited to fill.  And now he has his chance. The Office of Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana is the second highest state office in Louisiana and serves as governor in the event of a vacancy in the office, if the governor is unable to act as governor, or is out-of-state. In 2006, Nungesser was elected President of Plaquemines Parish at a time when the parish was struggling to recover from the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Nungesser worked tirelessly with FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers to increase public projects that increased investment in infrastructure. Nungesser is an active sportsman who values our state’s natural resources and loves calling Louisiana home. For more election results click here.