Allain, Guidry vie for Sen. Dist. 21

A closely watched race for the Louisiana state Senate District 21 seat, vacated by D.A. “Butch” Gautreaux due to term limits, will be decided in a primary contest on Oct. 22.

Farmer and land manager Bret Allain and Darrin Guidry, owner of the Tri-Parish Times and the Guidry Group, will go down to the wire as each seeks to be elected to public office for the first time.

Allain detailed his political aspirations via email because his opponent owns the newspaper. The following is his response to the same questions asked of all candidates for all offices:

“The top issue is spurring our economy. We need good, high-paying jobs, we need pro-growth economic policies, and we need to work together on a regional level to bring opportunity to District 21.

“Things that will bring those opportunities to our area are funding and completing I-49 to attract business and industry to our area and reforming our tax structure to eliminate burdens on business such as the inventory and franchise taxes. If you want to discourage business activity, over-tax and over-regulate it and see the result. We must open Louisiana for business so that we can get back to work,” he wrote.

When asked what differentiates himself from his opponent, Allain responded, “What sets myself apart is the common sense that I learned on the farm. I know how to solve problems. I do it every day. I know how to create jobs. I’ve made payroll for the last 20 years. I know our industry, I’ve worked in oil and gas. I promise integrity, accessibility and a willingness to fight for you and your family. I will be a senator you can be proud of.”

Speaking on what he views as lead issues for the area he hopes to represent, Guidry placed high paying jobs at the top his priority list. “The president says the oil moratorium is over, however, we know it is not,” he said. “That has impacted jobs. The oil activity in the Gulf of Mexico has not yet returned to the level it was [prior to the April 22, 2010, BP spill]. I am going to work on the state level to speed up the permitting process in the state. It is virtually impossible to get deepwater [drilling] permits, and even in shallow water it is difficult. We need to fix that.”

Guidry said he has an edge over Allain because of the government-appointed positions he has filled with the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority and the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District. “I have the ability to get things done in Baton Rouge,” he said.

Meet the Candidates

BRET ALLAIN

AGE: 52

PARTY: Republican

OCCUPATION: Farmer, land manager

EDUCATION: LSU

FAMILY: Married, two children

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State Mineral Board, Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority, I-49 Task Force

DARRIN GUIDRY

AGE: 46

PARTY: Republican

OCCUPATION: Business owner

EDUCATION: Central Catholic High School

FAMILY: Married, two children, one grandchild

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Terrebonne Economic Development Authority Board of Commissioners, Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District Board of Commissioners