News

Last Saturday, LaSalle Parish voters participated in races for three legislative seats, which represent all or parts of the parish.

District 32 will have a new State Senator next spring as Glen D. Womack of Harrisonburg, received just over 50% of the vote district wide, to be elected. He will succeed Sen. Neil Riser of Columbia, who was termed limited out.

District wide, Womack received 18,588 votes or 50.10% of the votes cast. Running second was Steve May of Columbia, who had 11,400 votes, or 30.74%. Judy Duhon of Aimwell, received 4,763 votes, or 12.85%, and Daniel “Danny” Cole of Jena, had 2,341 votes, or 6.31%.

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Statewide Races

There were some winners, and others thrown into runoffs as the result of the primary election held statewide last Saturday. A disappointing 45% voter turnout in Louisiana was lower than expected. Also in LaSalle Parish, a 64% turnout of voters was also much lower than expected.

Based on the record number of early votes and absentee votes cast prior to the election, local election officials were predicting a local turnout of 70% to 75%.

As the result of the election, statewide runoffs will be needed for governor and secretary of state. On the local level, runoffs will be needed for one representative seat, sheriff and four police jury members.

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A runoff will be needed to decide who will serve LaSalle Parish as Sheriff for the next four years.

When all the votes had been counted last Saturday night, Sheriff Scott Franklin had 2,331 votes, or 41% of those cast in the race.

Charles “Chopper” Turnage came in second with 1,683 votes, or 30%, and will face Franklin in a runoff on November 16.

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As a result of last Saturday’s voting, the LaSalle Parish Police Jury will have at least one new member, five returning members, with the other four members in runoffs on Nov. 16.

District One: Jerrod W. Douglas was elected to succeed Eddie Coolman, who did not seek re-election, in District One. Douglas received 327 votes, or 61% to be elected. Al Cassels received 128 votes, or 24%, and Max Andrews got 83 votes, or 15% in the district.

District Two: Incumbent Charles Buddy Poole, with 192 votes, or 44%, will face Phil Crawford, with 163 votes, or 37%, at the runoff election in November. The third candidate in the race, Hank Billy Wilson, had 86 votes, or 20%.

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Early voting for the October 12th primary election is underway and will continue through this Saturday, according to Registrar of Voters Angie Sandifer.

Early ballots can be cast at the Registrar of Voters office each day from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. through this coming Saturday, Oct. 5.

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The seventh annual LaSalle Parish Chapter of Friends of NRA banquet will be held on Thursday, October 3rd at the Community Center (old fair barn) in Jena, according to Chapter Chairman Lane Windham. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

Amongst the fun and fellowship, Friends of NRA banquets boil down to one goal – fund raising for the future of the shooting sports. Since its inception in 1992, Friends of NRA has held over 15,000 events, reached over 2.8 million attendees and raised over $200 million for The NRA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

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Students in public schools in LaSalle Parish will get a break from classes next Monday, Oct. 7, as school personnel report for a Professional Development Day.

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