Third generation Ourso wins first race unopposed

Jessel M. Ourso III has won his first bid for public office, unopposed for an at-large seat on the Democratic Party Executive Committee (DPEC).

Ourso is the son of Parish President J. Mitchell Ourso Jr., who took office Monday for a fourth full term, and the grandson of the late Sheriff Jessel M. Ourso Sr., the colorful and controversial politician named to the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.

The young Ourso will serve on the DPEC with his father's Chief Administrative Officer Edward A. “Lucky” Songy Jr., also unopposed for one of the five at-large seats.

No one signed up to run in the March 24 election for the other three at-large seats or for the 13 district seats on the executive committee.

Songy also was unopposed for his slot on the Democratic State Central Committee from House District 60. He will serve again with state Rep. Karen St. Germain, also unopposed to represent District 60.

Stephen Juge of Erwinville will serve on the DSCC from House District 18.

No candidates qualified for the second DSCC seat from District 18, or for the two seats from House District 18.

Interest was low on the Republican side, as well.

Charles B. Carpenter of Sunshine, who is unopposed, will represent House District 58 on the Republican State Central Committee (RSCC).

Vanessa Banta Moore of Plaquemine was unopposed for one of five at-large seats on the Republican Party Executive Committee, as was Karen Fitzgerald of Plaquemine, who will represent District 8 on the RPEC.

The March 24 ballot will include a race between Arthur N. Bagwell of White Castle and Jennifer Madsen of Plaquemine for the House District 60 seat on the RSCC.