Election Day May 16 Live Blog

Overview of the Election Day in Central Louisiana

On Saturday, voters in Central Louisiana cast their ballots to decide on a U.S. Senate race, five constitutional amendments, and various local elections. The results of these votes will shape the future of the region, with some races already determined and others heading into runoffs.

A runoff election is scheduled for June 27, as several candidates did not secure enough votes to win outright. This includes the U.S. Senate primary, where key figures are vying for positions that could impact state and national policies.

Changes to Congressional Races

Originally, congressional races were set to be part of Saturday’s ballot. However, Louisiana suspended its U.S. House primaries after a significant ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. The court struck down a majority-Black congressional district, prompting the state to delay the primaries. These races are now set for November.

Governor Jeff Landry emphasized the importance of this decision, stating, “Allowing elections to proceed under an unconstitutional map would undermine the integrity of our system and violate the rights of our voters.” He added that the executive order ensures the rule of law is upheld while giving the Legislature time to create a fair and lawful congressional map.

U.S. Senate Primary

The U.S. Senate primary was the most prominent statewide race on the ballot. On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming are set for a runoff. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy faced an unexpected loss, failing to secure re-election.

On the Democratic side, Gary Crockett and Jamie Davis advanced to a runoff. These candidates will continue their campaigns to represent the party in the next round of voting.

Constitutional Amendments Considered by Voters

Voters had the opportunity to vote on five constitutional amendments, but all were rejected:

Amendment One

This amendment aimed to allow the Legislature to add or remove officers, positions, and employees from the unclassified state civil service system. Supporters argued it would enhance government efficiency, while opponents feared it would increase political influence over nonpartisan roles.

Amendment Two

Amendment Two sought to grant the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish the authority to operate. Proponents believed it was necessary due to the poor quality of many public schools in the area. Critics, however, warned it could lead to increased segregation and lower educational quality for poorer students.

Amendment Three

This amendment proposed funding a teacher pay raise by reducing the Teachers’ Retirement System’s long-term debt. It would have converted $2,200 teacher stipends into permanent pay raises by dissolving three state education trust funds. If passed, public schools would have received lower annual retirement payments, which would have been redirected toward pay raises. State lawmakers indicated they would find alternative ways to fund the stipends, which would cost about $200 million annually.

Amendment Four

Amendment Four allowed parishes to reduce or eliminate property taxes on business inventory, provided approval from the sheriff, school board, and parish governing authority. This meant tax cuts for large businesses would require the endorsement of three key agencies.

Amendment Five

Amendment Five aimed to change the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75. This proposal was intended to provide more flexibility in judicial appointments and ensure experienced judges could serve longer.

Local Mayoral Races

Several mayoral seats were contested in the election, with winners emerging in multiple cities:

• Timika Price (D) won the race for Mayor of Colfax.
• Michael D. Harris (N) became Mayor of DeRidder.
• LaFonda Stelly (D) and James Shapkoff (D) are set for a runoff for Leesville Mayor.
• Von Gilcrease (N) won the race for Mayor of Montgomery.
• John Lemoine (D) became Mayor of Marksville.
• Monique Hamilton Sarpy (D) won the race for Mayor of Natchez.
• Carolyn H. Todd (D) became Mayor of New Llano.
• Joe Bishop (R) won the race for Mayor of Pineville.
• Alice Wallace (D) became Mayor of Winnsboro.
• Gerald Hamms (N) won the race for Mayor of Winnfield.

For more details on Cenla election results, additional information can be found through local resources. Readers are encouraged to report any typos or inaccuracies to ensure the accuracy of future coverage.