Sammy Kershaw Loses Bid for Louisiana Lieutenant Governor

Sammy Kershaw has once again lost his bid to become lieutenant governor in his home state of Louisiana. The multi-platinum selling singer, who announced his candidacy in May, had previously made an unsuccessful run for the office in 2007.

This year's election, held October 2, was a special election to fill the seat of Mitch Landrieau, who resigned from his position as lieutenant governor to take the role of mayor of New Orleans. Sammy, running as a Republican, earned 19 percent of the votes, coming in third behind Republican Jay Dardenne and Democrat Caroline Fayard, who will now face off in a No. 2 run-off to claim the seat.

"This job is about introducing the unique people, culture and heritage of this state," Sammy said when announcing his candidacy. "I have been in the promotion business my entire career and no one is more qualified to do this job than I am. It's time the people have someone in this position who not only can do the job, but wants the job."

Sammy may have lost his bid to be lieutenant governor, but his loyalty to the state remains firm. The generous singer, who resides in Lafayette, La., has worked tirelessly to rebuild the Gulf and increase tourism in the wake of the devastating oil spill. Sammy headlined a Gulf concert, inviting friend Mark Chesnutt to participate as well, and served as honorary chair for a Black and Gold gala, organized by New Orleans Saints coach Sean Peyton, with proceeds from both events benefiting ProtectOurCoastline.org. In addition, he spearheaded the 'sp[OIL]ed' photo campaign, enlisting Kellie Pickler, the Zac Brown Band and Colt Ford to participate in the worthwhile cause.

Sammy's latest album is titled 'Better Than I Used to Be,' the first product from his own record label. "You've got to get out there and do something and try to make it happen," he tells The Boot. "I decided to go ahead and start my own record label [Big Hit Records]. If I was going to gamble money, I just as soon make it where I couldn't lose my masters to somebody else. So here I am, working hard. I'd like to do a little more of it with the label, and eventually have two or three artists signed to it."