How a Louisiana politician turned hurricane recovery into a career in state leadership

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Billy Nungesser rose to prominence as the president of Plaquemines Parish, where he navigated the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. His hands-on approach to disaster management and infrastructure protection eventually propelled him to become the 54th lieutenant governor of Louisiana, a position he has held since 2016.

Before entering politics, Nungesser worked in his family's offshore catering business, where he developed a portable living quarters company for offshore workers. His transition into public service began in 2006 when he was elected president of Plaquemines Parish. This region, situated at the final stretch of the Mississippi River, faced immense challenges during his tenure, including the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Nungesser focused heavily on recovery, notably securing a $12 million FEMA authorization for the Port Eads marina after initially being offered only $400,000.

Nungesser's leadership style was marked by unconventional interventions. During the 2008 hurricane season, he famously threatened to sink barges that posed safety risks to the levee system if owners did not move them. Later, during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, he became a national figure, frequently appearing on television to advocate for his parish. His collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers resulted in the 2009 Plaquemines Restoration and Protection Plan, which emphasized that the region required more than just traditional levees for effective hurricane defense.

Since assuming the role of lieutenant governor in 2016, Nungesser has managed the state's tourism industry and park system. His tenure has not been without controversy, including public disputes over the management of the Louisiana State Museum and his opposition to the removal of Confederate monuments in New Orleans. Despite political friction, he has maintained a pragmatic approach to governance, such as working across party lines with Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards to secure funding for state parks. He was re-elected to his office in 2019 and 2023, continuing a career defined by his early experiences in the volatile coastal environment of his home parish.

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