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Lt. gov.'s race: Four battle to be La.'s tourism CEO

Greg Hilburn
USA TODAY Network

Louisiana's lieutenant governor may be considered the state's ambassador to the world, but the job is more than ceremonial.

More than 28 million tourists visited the state in 2014, spending $11.2 billion and generating $836 million in tax revenue for Louisiana.

"How many branches of government are net producers of revenue? Not many," said Jefferson Parish President John Young, a Republican, one of four candidates vying to replace Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, who is giving up the office to run for governor. "And when visitors contribute $836 million to the state treasury, that's money the state doesn't have to collect from you and me."

Young, former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, a Republican, state Sen. Elbert Guillory, R-Opelousas and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden, a Democrat, talked about their priorities in interviews with Gannett Louisiana.

Early voting for the Oct. 24 election begins Saturday.

In addition to being Louisiana's tourism CEO, the lieutenant governor also oversees the state's vast network of state parks and historic sites as well as the Louisiana State Museum and Louisiana State Library.

Yet most of the candidates — Nungesser, Guillory and Holden — believe they should do even more.

"I hear too many people in government saying, 'That's not my job,'" Nungesser said. "You'll never hear me say that."

Nungesser said he will take an active role in coastal recreation, veterans' and seniors' issues and economic development, among other issues.

"I will get involved in everything I possibly can," he said.

Guillory expressed similar interests, saying he would be "actively involved in politics at all levels. I won't sit on the sidelines," he said. "I want to continue to work to improve education and economic development in the state."

Holden said he will play an active role in economic development. "I'm going to make it happen because that's what I've done (in Baton Rouge) for 11 years," he said.

But Young said he would focus on the lieutenant governor's current responsibilities, building on what he said is a solid foundation left by Dardenne, and continue to lead the office himself rather that revive the Secretary of Culture, Recreation and Tourism position Dardenne eliminated.

"When you have an $11.2 billion industry, I think you should concentrate on nurturing and growing that industry rather than be distracted by other issues that are certainly important, but aren't within the realm of the office," Young said. "We've got state parks and museums and Main Street programs that aren't being properly funded, so I have to work with the governor and Legislature to make sure we invest in that infrastructure throughout the state."

But all of the candidates are concerned about crime, or the perception of it, in Louisiana, especially in the state's signature city of New Orleans.

All four said they would advocate for more public safety resources in New Orleans, although the lieutenant governor doesn't have the authority to dispatch police.

"Nobody wants to visit an unsafe place," said Guillory said. "We have to provide a safe environment for our visitors."

Holden suggested more plainclothes policemen would help, while Young proposed a special unit in the French Quarter and Guillory would like to see more police on the streets.

Nungesser said he would leave it to the experts in law enforcement as to how best improve crime in New Orleans.

"If we don't get crime under control in the French Quarter we're going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg," Young said. "I'd at least like a seat at the table."

All of the candidates believe the Legislature went too far in limiting film tax credits during the summer session, although they do support some caps.

They also said they would work to spread tourism throughout the state.

“We have great assets throughout the state and I'm going to cater to each city's and town's strengths and market their assets," Holden said. "I'm going to design plans that are tailor-made for each individual city."

Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1

Early voting

Early voting for the Oct. 24 statewide election begins Saturday and continues through Oct. 17 except for Sunday.