ELECTIONS

Mayor’s races, School Board top qualifying for Iberville Parish fall primary

Staff Report

Qualifying ended July 22 at the Iberville Parish Clerk of Court’s Office for a Nov. 8 ballot that will include a long list of local, regional and statewide elections.

Incumbent mayors in Maringouin and White Castle, along with aldermen, will also vie for another term in office in a long list of municipal elections. Meanwhile, voters in two Plaquemine districts will elect candidates who will fill the unexpired terms of two selectmen who died in office.

The slate also includes an election to finish the unexpired term of District 17 State Senator Rick Ward. In addition, voters will decide on U.S. Senates seats district U.S. House seats.

Runoffs, if required, will be held Saturday, Dec. 10.

STATE SENATE

District 17 State Representative Jeremy S. LaCombe, D-New Roads, qualified for the seat, along with West Baton Rouge Parish Councilman Caleb Seth Kleinpeter, R-Port Allen and Kirk Rousset, R-Oscar.

PLAQUEMINE

Races will elect candidates to permanent unexpired terms District 2 and District 6 selectmen.

In District 2, Michael Carlin, Jasmine Carter and Dexter Washington will vie for the seat held by longtime Oscar S. Mellion, who died Nov. 2, 2021.

In District 6, Cody Edmond, Corey Jenkins and Natasha Johnson entered the race to fill seat occupied by Jimmie Randle, who died April 2.

Both served more than 20 years on the Board of Selectmen.

WHITE CASTLE

Mayor John Morris III will seek a second in term in office when he runs against Florida Melancon.

Longtime Police Chief Mario Brown Sr. will vie for another term when he faces Harold Brooks Jr.

Voters will also select five of the following candidates for the Board of Aldermen: Incumbents Erick “Duck” Batiste, Candice Depron and Kipp Knight are on the ballot, along with Mervin “Merv” Allen Jr., Christine M. Jones, Chamarcus Lewis and Ernie J. Starks.

MARINGOUOIN

Mayor Maurice L. Harris faces opposition from Alderwoman Cherise D. Gougisha and Letha K.Butler.

Candidates for the Board of Aldermen include incumbents Jerome “Gillis” Martin Jr. and Sam Watson, along with Sherika Anderson, Justin Bessix, John Carriere, Dedric Davenport, Veronica “Bonnie” Hill, Edna “Lil Bit” Mitchel, Katrell Poole, Brian “Gumble Robinson, Katie Davenport Watson and Sam W. Watson.

Police Chief Hosea Anderson went unopposed.

SCHOOL BOARD

In the Iberville Parish School Baord race, Mario Migliacio went unopposed for the District E seat, which has been occupied by Polly Higdon.

Higdon will seek the “At Large” seat, will has been by Darlene Ourso, who did not qualify for another term.

Meanwhile, Pam George – who represents District C, in the north end of the parish – went unopposed.

Here is the list of races:

(One to be elected)

  • District A: Incumbent Theresa Roy seeks another term when she faces Jan Drinkwater.
  • District B: Incumbent Melvin Lodge received opposition from   Catherine Williams.
  • District D: Kayla Tempanaro and Daven Butler.
  • District F: Incumbent Yolanda Laws will face opposition from Claysha “Clay” Williams.
  • District G: Board President Chris Daigle seeks reelection agains Jasmine Jackson.
  • District H: Incumbent Michael Hebert Jr. drew opposition from Brittany Tillman.  

U.S. SENATOR

(One to be elected)

  • Beryl A. Billiot, no affiliation, Kentwood.
  • Gary Chambers Jr., D-Baton Rouge
  • Devin Lance Graham, R-Gonzales
  • “Xan” John, “other” party affiliation, Lafayette
  • Incumbent John Kennedy, R-Baton Rouge
  • W. Thomas La Fontaine Olson, no affiliation, New Orleans
  • Bradley McMorris, Independent, Livingston
  • MV “Vinny” Mendoza, D-Ponchatoula
  • Luke Mixon, D-Bunkie
  • Salvador P. Rodriguez, D-Tangipahoa
  • Aaron Stigler, Libertarian-Hammond
  • Sylvia Steib, D-Metairie
  • Thomas Wenn, Other, Amite

U.S. CONGRESS, 2nd DISTRICT

  • Troy A. Carter, D-New Orleans
  • Dan Lux, R-Harvey

U.S. CONGRESS, 6th DISTRICT

  • Brian Belzer, R-Prairieville
  • Rufus Holt Craig Jr., Libertarian- Baton Rouge
  • Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge

JUDGE, COURT OF APPEAL, DIVISION B

  • Mitchell “Mitch” Theriot, R-Lockport

JUDGE, COURT OF APPEAL, DIVISION D

  • Tanner Magee, R-Houma
  • Steven Miller, R-Raceland

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DISTRICT 3

(One to be elected)

  • Lambert C. Boissiere III, D-New Orleans
  • Willie Jones, D-New Orleans
  • Davante Lewis, D-Baton Rouge
  • Gregory Manning, D-New Orleans
  • Jesse Thompson, D-Plaquemine