Billy Nungesser

Billy Nungesser
Nungesser in 2019
Billy Nungesser
Born	William Harold Nungesser 1/10/1959
Birthplace	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, Plaquemines Parish President during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Spouse(s)	Cher Taffarro
Website	http://www.billynungesser.com/

William Harold Nungesser (born January 10, 1959) is an American politician serving as the 54th Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana since January 2016. A Republican, Nungesser first broke through to national prominence as president of Plaquemines Parish during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. He became a familiar face on cable news, pushing back hard against what he saw as inadequate responses from both the federal government and BP. Before that high-profile moment, he'd chaired the Louisiana Republican Party from 1988 to 1992. Today, as lieutenant governor, he oversees the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the state parks system, and Louisiana's cultural and recreational assets. He's served under Governors John Bel Edwards and Jeff Landry. From 2019 to 2020 he chaired the National Lieutenant Governors Association. Throughout his career, Nungesser has been known for speaking his mind, sometimes openly disagreeing with fellow Republicans on immigration enforcement, election reform, and other issues. It's a willingness to challenge his own party that's defined his political brand.

Early Life

William Harold Nungesser was born on January 10, 1959, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in the New Orleans metropolitan area with strong family roots in Plaquemines Parish, that distinctive narrow stretch of land running along the Mississippi River south of the city toward the Gulf of Mexico. It's a place defined by fishing, oil, and shipping. Those industries would shape everything about Nungesser's political career.

His mother, Ruth Amelia Marks Nungesser, spent her whole life in the region. Growing up in south Louisiana taught him the parish's unique geography, culture, and economic struggles. Those experiences informed his later push for coastal restoration and disaster response.

Before politics, Nungesser worked in business ventures around New Orleans. He built connections and gained experience in the commercial and industrial world of south Louisiana. That background would matter when he later governed Plaquemines Parish, an economy still heavily dependent on oil and gas, commercial fishing, and port activities.

Career

Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party

Nungesser entered politics relatively young. In 1988, at just 29 years old, he became chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, taking over from Donald Bollinger. He held that job until 1992, when Dud Lastrapes succeeded him. Louisiana's political world was shifting then. The Republican Party was making real gains in a state that had voted Democratic for most of the twentieth century. As party chairman, Nungesser's tasks included organizing, raising money, and building Republican infrastructure during a major realignment across the South.

President of Plaquemines Parish

In 2006, Nungesser ran for parish president. He won the election, succeeding Benny Rousselle, and took office on January 2, 2007. Plaquemines Parish had been devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and other storms before that. Rebuilding was still underway when he arrived.

As parish president, he focused on recovery, coastal erosion, and the economic struggles facing communities that line both sides of the Mississippi in the lower parish. The region's vulnerability to hurricanes, flooding, and ongoing coastal wetland loss made disaster preparedness and environmental advocacy his central concerns.

In 2008, Hurricane Gustav battered Plaquemines Parish again, causing major damage to infrastructure and homes. His handling of the recovery helped build his reputation as an assertive, hands-on leader.

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Everything changed in spring 2010. The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, unleashing the largest marine oil spill in history. Nungesser's national profile exploded with it. Plaquemines Parish, sitting at the mouth of the Mississippi with extensive Gulf coastline, faced direct and immediate threats from the spreading oil.

From day one, Nungesser was out front, criticizing BP and the federal government for their slow, inadequate response. He became a fixture on national television. CNN's Anderson Cooper 360° featured him repeatedly, along with other major news programs, as he described the spill's impact on his parish's environment, fishing industry, and communities.

The New York Times profiled him in June 2010, chronicling his efforts to draw national attention to the environmental damage in Plaquemines Parish and his battles with BP and federal authorities over cleanup speed. The Huffington Post called him "the face" of the local oil spill response, noting his emotional, relentless advocacy for his parish's fishing communities and fragile coastal ecosystems.

He was especially vocal about building sand berms along the Louisiana coast to keep oil from reaching interior marshlands. He pushed hard for federal approval of the berm plan. Scientists and engineers had doubts about whether it'd work and worried about environmental damage. His public clashes with federal officials and BP reps over the berm project and other cleanup measures dominated the summer 2010 news cycle.

The spill devastated Plaquemines Parish's fishing and oyster industries. Nungesser became the public face of local anger and frustration. His tearful, impassioned televised appeals kept the national spotlight on Louisiana's coastal destruction.

Re-election as Parish President

Nungesser was re-elected parish president in the 2010 general election. He beat two opponents with more than 71 percent of the vote. That strong showing came partly from his high visibility during the oil spill crisis. His second term as parish president ran from January 1, 2011, through January 5, 2015.

Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana

2015 Campaign

In 2015, Nungesser ran for lieutenant governor. The job is Louisiana's chief ambassador for tourism, culture, and recreation. It means overseeing the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Office of State Parks, the Louisiana State Museum, and the Office of Cultural Development.

He advanced to the general runoff election on October 24, 2015. He won the runoff on November 21, 2015, and took office on January 11, 2016, succeeding Jay Dardenne, who'd held the position since 2010.

Tourism and State Parks

As lieutenant governor, Nungesser has promoted Louisiana as a tourism destination. He emphasizes the state's food, music, festivals, and outdoor recreation. He's taken promotional tours across the country and internationally to attract visitors. In September 2025, he spent a week in Canada trying to boost Louisiana tourism. He ran into a problem: some Canadians told him they weren't visiting the U.S. because of political tensions related to comments President Donald Trump had made about Canada. For a Republican officeholder, he was unusually frank about how national political rhetoric was hurting Louisiana's tourism economy.

In February 2026, Nungesser visited Northeast Louisiana. He promoted anti-littering programs and discussed storm recovery efforts. He argued that faster debris cleanup after storms was critical to keeping Louisiana's natural areas appealing for tourism and recreation.

He's also commented publicly on Louisiana's Carnival season and the economic impact of Mardi Gras and related events on the state's hospitality sector.

National Lieutenant Governors Association

From 2019 to 2020, Nungesser chaired the National Lieutenant Governors Association. He succeeded Mike Cooney of Montana and was succeeded by Bethany Hall-Long of Delaware.

Immigration and Border Patrol Controversy

In December 2025, Nungesser stepped into controversy by publicly criticizing U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations in southeast Louisiana. He said the agency's immigration enforcement sweeps were indiscriminate and harmful to Louisiana's economy. Tourism and hospitality industries depend on immigrant labor. "There's a better way," Nungesser said, to enforce immigration laws without disrupting local communities and businesses.

Some in the Republican Party criticized him. Nungesser then issued clarifying statements. He reaffirmed his support for border security while maintaining his objection to the methods used in Louisiana's specific operations. The dispute exposed real tensions within Louisiana's Republican establishment. Some members wanted aggressive federal immigration enforcement. Others worried about its economic effects on industries dependent on immigrant workers.

In January 2026, the Louisiana Republican Party voted to officially endorse President Trump's immigration policies. That move underscored how much Nungesser had deviated from the party line.

Opposition to Closed Primaries

In October 2025, Nungesser opposed Louisiana's move to shift from open primaries to closed-party primaries for certain state races, a change taking effect in 2026. Louisiana's open-primary system, often called the "jungle primary," had been used for decades. All candidates regardless of party appeared on a single ballot. The top two vote-getters advanced to a runoff if nobody won a majority.

Nungesser argued that the open-primary system worked well for Louisiana and that closing it was rushed through the legislature without enough public input. Writing on NOLA.com, he said: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Keep elections open and trust the people." His position put him at odds with other Republican leaders in the state who backed the change.

Personal Life

Billy Nungesser is married to Cher Taffarro. They live in Louisiana. His mother, Ruth Amelia Marks Nungesser, was memorialized in an obituary published in The Times-Picayune.

He's deeply connected to Plaquemines Parish and south Louisiana. His public persona is tightly woven to the region's culture, cuisine, and way of life. The emotional advocacy he showed during the 2010 oil spill, including tearful television appearances about coastal marsh destruction, became a defining part of how people see him.

Recognition

Nungesser became nationally known during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The New York Times, CNN, the Huffington Post, and numerous other outlets profiled him during spring and summer 2010. His constant appearances on national television advocating for Plaquemines Parish made him one of the most recognizable local officials tied to the disaster.

In 2019, his election as chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association showed respect from his peers across the nation.

His 2010 re-election as parish president with more than 71 percent of the vote reflected strong local support during a genuine crisis for the parish.

Legacy

Nungesser's career in Louisiana politics spans more than three decades. He moved from chairing the state Republican Party in the late 1980s to serving as lieutenant governor today. His biggest moment on the national stage came during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He was a vocal, emotional advocate for Plaquemines Parish communities and the broader Louisiana coast. His confrontations with BP and federal officials over the oil spill response kept national media focused on the disaster's impact on Louisiana's environment and economy.

As lieutenant governor, Nungesser stands out for his willingness to publicly disagree with fellow Republicans. His criticism of federal immigration enforcement in Louisiana and his opposition to closing primaries have set him apart from many GOP colleagues. His focus on tourism promotion, including international outreach and candid talk about how national politics harms Louisiana's tourism economy, defines his approach to the office.

His political journey reflects how Republican politics has evolved in Louisiana over four decades. His career has been shaped by south Louisiana's recurring challenges: hurricanes, coastal erosion, oil spills, and the constant tension between economic development and environmental protection.