Update: Tuesday at 12:14 p.m. The Independent received an email from Billy Nungesser's campaign claiming that mayors from numerous communities throughout Acadiana and the Louisiana Gulf Coast had come together at Café Des Amis in Breaux Bridge to endorse the Plaquemines Parish president for lieutenant governor.
But the paper has since received calls from four of the mayors the Nungesser campaign listed on the press release, all of whom said they did not make any kind of endorsement (we were told to expect more calls). Carencro Mayor Glenn Brasseaux says he was invited by David Camardelle, mayor of Grand Isle, to hear what Nungesser had to say. "We went to the meeting. There was nothing about endorsements," says Brasseaux. "I don't endorse anybody."
New Iberia Mayor Hilda Curry says much the same. "I did not endorse Billy Nungesser. I attended by request of another mayor a function at Café des Amis," Curry says, noting that she, too, does not make endorsements. "He should know better," Curry says when informed that the Nungesser campaign had issued a press release touting the endorsements.
Making matters worse, Brasseaux and Curry are president and vice president, respectively, of the Louisiana Municipal Association; the organization's bylaws prohibit its officers from making endorsements.
The third to call was Jack Dale Delhomme, mayor of Breaux Bridge. "Nobody ever mentioned [an endorsement] at the meeting," Delhomme says. Early Wednesday afternoon we also got a call from St. Francisville Mayor Billy D'Aquilla, who says he has not endorsed Nungesser.
Amy Jones, a spokeswoman for Nungesser's campaign (Jones issued the press release but did not attend the meeting at Café des Amis), says she will look into the matter and get back with us.
Nungesser faces incumbent Jay Dardenne, also a Republican, in Saturday’s election. Read more about the nasty fight between the fellow Republicans in tomorrow's Independent.
Below is what the Nungesser campaign released today:
From: Amy Jones <
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
>
Date: October 18, 2011 12:14:12 PM CDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Acadiana Area and Coastal Elected Officials Join Together to Endorse Billy Nungesser for Lt. Governor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2011
Contact: Amy Jones
337.303.7119 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Acadiana Area and Coastal Elected Officials Join Together to Endorse Billy Nungesser for Lt. Governor
Breaux Bridge, LA - Mayors from several communities throughout Acadiana and the Louisiana Gulf Coast came together at Cafe Des Amis this morning to endorse Billy Nungesser for Lt. Governor.
The officials endorsing Nungesser this morning include:
Wayne Breaux - Mayor of Baldwin
Jackdale Delhomme - Mayor of Breaux Bridge
Sherbin Collette - Mayor of henderson
Al Broussard - Mayor of Loreauville
Billy D-Aquilla - Mayor of St. Francisville
Euris Dubois - Grand isle Police Chief
David Carmadelle - Mayor of Grand Isle
George Dupuis - Mayor of Erath
Wayne Theriot - Mayor of Maurice
Mark Piazza - Mayor of Abbeville
Carrol Broussard - Mayor of Delcambre
Kathy Richard - Mayor of Arnaudville
Glenn Broussard - Mayor of Carencro
Thomas Nelson - Mayor of St. Martinville
Hilda Curry - Mayor of New Iberia
The election for Lt. Governor is this Saturday, October 22nd.
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