Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Guv wannabe files to lead lobby org

Richard Nelson has a back-up plan in case his longshot bid for governor fails: He's applied to be the new president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the most powerful lobby group in Baton Rouge.

The 37-year-old Republican from Mandeville confirmed to NOLA.com that he is seeking to replace Stephen Waguespack, who resigned from LABI in March to run for governor. 

Nelson and the other applicants should know soon who gets the job, which paid Waguespack nearly $600,000 in salary and benefits.

“By the end of September, we’ll have a person onboard,” said Jude Melville, president and chief executive officer of Business First Bank. He chairs LABI’s board and heads the selection committee. 

Nelson and Waguespack are among the seven candidates vying to succeed Gov. John Bel Edwards. Tyler Gray, a former president of Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association who is now corporate secretary for Placid Refining, is also running for governor. The primary is Oct. 14. (NOLA.com 08/21/23) Richard Nelson among those applying to be LABI's president | Local Politics | nola.com

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