Covington Representative Mark Wright files an amendment to consolidate the governor and lieutenant governor onto one ticket, instead of having voters chose them separately.
Wright says for starters, the lieutenant governor’s job is nearly all tourism-related, and it would make for more efficient government if tourism was folded directly into the governor’s administration.
“It makes no sense to have completely separate departments on an industry like tourism that is a huge industry for the state. As far as I am concentered that should be under the governor’s office,” says Wright.
But he says that’s not a shot at the current Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who was ok with similar legislation last session.
And Wright says combining the ticket could open up some interesting political options for gubernatorial candidates who now get to pick a running mate.
“You could see a governor from south Louisiana bringing in a lieutenant governor from north Louisiana, or vice versa, so you could potentially bring in a little diversity in our gubernatorial candidates,” says Wright.
Wright says a handpicked running mate could also facilitate more efficient operations from the governor’s office, who could use the lieutenant governor as a high profile surrogate when they’re not available.
“In this way the governor can use the lieutenant governor in a way that is really congruent with a governor and the state’s needs,” says Wright.
If it clears the legislature, the amendment would be on the November 3rd Presidential ballot.
