ABBEVILLE, La. (AP) Sammy Kershaw announced Wednesday that he's running for lieutenant governor as a Republican, challenging incumbent Democrat Mitch Landrieu.

The 49-year-old country singer lives part-time in Nashville, Tenn., but has rented a home in Duson, near Lafayette, since 2005. Before that, he had a home in Kaplan, said campaign spokeswoman Amy Jones.

Kershaw, a native of Vermilion Parish, has been a registered voter in Louisiana since 1999, Jones said.

In a statement, Kershaw said he's running for lieutenant governor because he wants to expand the entertainment industry in Louisiana and create new education programs to support the industry.

The state Democratic Party quickly questioned whether Kershaw is eligible to run because of his Tennessee residence.

Kershaw's hits include "She Don't Know She's Beautiful," "Third Rate Romance" and "Queen of My Double Wide Trailer."

A Landrieu spokeswoman said she had no comment.

Landrieu was elected to his first term in 2003, after representing New Orleans in the state House for 16 years. His sister is U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-New Orleans; his father is former New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu.

State Rep. Gary Beard, a Republican from Baton Rouge, is also running for the position in the Oct. 20 election.