Nearly 60% of registered LaSalle Parish voters went to the polls Saturday to participate in the October 14 Primary Election.

A total of 57% of voters cast ballots in the election that featured statewide and local elections. Statewide, only 35.8% of voters cast ballots.

Governor

The biggest race on the ballot statewide was the election of Governor, with two-term Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards term-limiting out.

Statewide, Republican Jeff Landry dominated the field of 15 candidates and won the highest office in the state with 52% of the votes. His closest competitor was Democrat Shawn Wilson, who garnered 26% of the vote.

Landry, Louisiana’s Attorney General, made a national name for himself during constant battles with Governor Edwards, specifically during the Covid-19 pandemic.

His leadership style is compared to that of Florida Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Ron DeSantis.

With Republicans winning the Executive Branch in the state, it gives them what is known as a “Super Majority” as both the House and Senate are controlled by Republicans.

In LaSalle Parish, Landry also dominated the vote tallies, receiving 78% of the votes, or 3,891.

Wilson received 4% or 189 votes, followed by Hunter Lundy (I) with 3% or 166 votes and LaSalle resident Danny Cole (D) with 3% or 160 votes. Statewide, Cole also received 3% of the overall vote with 27,663 casting ballots for him.

Lieutenant Governor

LaSalle Parish joined the rest of the state in overwhelmingly re-electing Billy Nungesser (R) as the state’s Lieutenant Governor.

Nungesser received 71% of the votes in LaSalle Parish with his closest competitor being Elbert Guillory (R) with 13%.

Statewide, Nungessor received 66% of the total votes to win his re-election bid.

Secretary of State

LaSalle native Mike Francis (R) dominated the field of candidates vying for the position of Secretary of State among LaSalle Parish voters, receiving 64% of the total votes. Nancy Landry (R) came in second in LaSalle with 13% of the votes.

Statewide, however, Francis fell a few votes short of making the runoff election for the position.

During the November 18 runoff election, Nancy Landry, who received 19% of the votes statewide or 196,521 votes, will face Gwen Collins-Greenup (D) who also received 19% of the votes statewide or 196,537 votes.

Statewide, Francis received 18% of the votes or 182,841 votes.

Attorney General

Republican Liz Murrill won LaSalle Parish easily for the position of Attorney General, garnering 57% of the votes. Her closest competitor was Marty Maley who received 18% of the votes.

However, statewide, Murrill failed to receive 50% plus one to win the position outright. She received 45% of the vote and will face Lindsey Cheek (D) in the November 18 runoff. Cheek received 23% of the vote statewide.

Treasurer

Republican John Fleming won LaSalle Parish for the position of State Treasurer with 64% of the vote followed by Scott McKnight (R) with 29% of the vote.

Statewide however, Fleming failed to secure enough votes to win the position outright as he received 45% forcing him to face Dustin Granger (D) in the runoff. Granger received 32% of the votes across Louisiana.

BESE DISTRICT 5

LaSalle Parish joined other parishes in District 5 of the Louisiana Board of Secondary Education (BESE) in elected Lance Harris (R) as the District 5 BESE member.

Harris received 69% of the votes in La-Salle compared to his opponent, Toby Brazzel (R), receiving 31%.

Across the district, Harris won easily with 67% of the vote with Brazzel garnering just 33%.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

LaSalle Parish joined voters across the state in approving the four constitutional amendments that were on the October 14 ballot.

On Amendment 1, LaSalle passed the measure with 78% voting Yes votes with 22% voting No. This amendment prohibits the use of private funds in the administration of elections.

Statewide, the amendment passed 73% to 27%.

On Amendment 2, LaSalle passed the measure with 90% voting Yes and just 10% voting No. This amendment provides that the freedom of worship is a fundamental right worthy of the highest protection.

Statewide, the amendment passed 79% to 21%.

On Amendment 3, LaSalle passed the measure with 65% voting Yes and 33% voting No. This amendment dedicates certain payments to be applied to the state retirement system unfunded accrued liability.

Statewide, the amendment passed 56% to 44%.

On Amendment 4, LaSalle passed the measure with 67% voting Yes and 33% voting No. This amendment restricts ad valorem tax exemptions for certain nonprofit organizations.

Statewide, the amendment passed 66% to 34%.