Local Election Wrap-Up

by Jessica Ferguson


On Saturday, April 4th, only 29 percent of Lake Charles’
registered voters showed up at the polls to vote in the highly
contested mayoral race. “And that was just the city of Lake

Charles, the parish-wide numbers were even lower,” said H.
Lynn Jones, Clerk of Court. Jones says it was actually better
than expected. “We’ve become a busy society. We used to go to
work, church, then home to spend time with family. There
weren’t a lot of distractions out there. “Jones is passionate
about the importance of voting. “A lot of people gave their
lives for us to have the privilege,” he said. 

Mayor Randy Roach, who won another four year term against
challenger Billy Pharr said, “It’s always a little bit
disappointing when you don’t have a big voter turnout, but
realistically, it’s what they predicted state-wide.” Roach
says he’s grateful for another term and had the opportunity to
reconnect with people during his campaign.

“Any time you campaign and have a chance to go door to door and talk with
people, you get a renewed sense of what people are concerned
about, and what your long term infrastructure needs are, and
yes we go into a campaign with an agenda, but the process
reminds us of the needs of the citizens,” Roach said.

Mark Eckard who ran for the District G City Council seat faced
a run-off against John Fontenot until Fontenot called KPLC on
April 7th to concede and give the win to Eckard. The race for
City Council, District G, proves that every vote counts.
Eckard needed only one more vote to claim the council seat
without a run-off.

Former U.S. Representative Clyde Holloway is the new PSC Representative for District 4 as State Senator
Joe McPherson bowed out of the race, citing a low turnout favoring Holloway.

“I don’t understand why people didn’t turn out to vote in this
race,” Lynn Jones said. “It’s important. This is the office
that regulates our utilities in southwest and central
Louisiana.”

More election results from around the area
Lake Charles City Council

• Council Member, District A  - Marshall Simien    
• Council Member, District B  - Luvertha August          
• Councill Member, District C  - Rodney Geyen           
• Council Member, District F- Dana Carl Jackson         
• Council Member, District G – Mark Eckard              

             
Chief of Police – Town of Vinton   Ricky Fox                  
                       
Council Members for Town of Vinton

• Council Member “B.B.” LoydCouncil Member Kevin Merchant
• Council Member Bliss Bujard
• Council Member Harold Douga
• Council Member Paul Patin

Jennings Results

• Jennings Mayor - Terry Duhon
• City Council District B - Johnny Armentor
• City Council District C - Trey Myers 
• City Council District D - Anthony P. LeBlanc 
• City Council District E – Stevie VanHook              

DeRidder Results 
                                                                                     
District 4 Council  - DeRidder: - Elizabeth S. Granger