House Speaker Clay Schexnayder tells Farm Bureau he's running for lieutenant governor

Republican Louisiana state House Speaker Clay Schexnayder confirmed speculation he plans to run for lieutenant governor in 2023, announcing his plans at the Farm Bureau convention in New Orleans.

Schexnayder, who is term limited in the House after serving three terms , asked those at the Farm Bureau's 100th anniversary convention for their support.

“Farm Bureau has always been a friend to me and helped me, and I appreciate that," Schexnayder said Sunday during a delegates' meeting. "But my next role, I think I’ll be able to help ag even a little bit more when I’m going to be looking at running for lieutenant governor."

Incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is expected to run for governor in 2023. Schexnayder said he believes Nungesser has an "excellent shot" at what will be a hotly-contested race to replace Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, who is term limited.

More: Meet Louisiana's top young farming couple from the Farm Bureau's centennial celebration

"We have a great lieutenant governor now," Schexnayder said of Nungesser. "He’s looking at another spot that’s a little bit higher than where he is now. I think he has an excellent shot at it.

"If you can find it in your heart to at least think about me a little bit whenever that position becomes available and we’re running, I would appreciate it.”

Louisiana's lieutenant governor is the state's tourism chief executive, leading the  Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

The lieutenant governor also oversees state parks and a network of museums.

Read this: Farm Bureau family reunion: Louisiana's largest agriculture event celebrates 100 years

Schexnayder passed bills to expand the lieutenant governor's power and scope during the most recent Legislative Session, but Edwards vetoed the bills.

Republican state Senate President Page Cortez of Lafayette, Schexnayder's counterpart in the upper chamber, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate, although the two men have worked closely together.

Former Republican state Sen. Elbert Guillory of Opelousas is already campaigning for the state's No. 2 job, while noted Louisiana political analyst Jeremy Alford has speculated that Democratic Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle may consider the race.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder running for lieutenant governor