Cantrelle, Randolph head for final battle with Saturday’s vote

Lafourche Parish presidential candidate Jimmy Cantrelle has spent more than $160,000 of his own money toward his campaign this year, according to his disclosures to the state ethics administration.

The total is more than double the $60,000 two-term incumbent Charlotte Randolph has spent in contributed funds. Voters will decide on Saturday which candidate will hold Lafourche’s top government position for the next four years.

“I had to get a message across, a very good message, a positive message,” Cantrelle said. “I just want to help the people out. That’s why I spent that kind of money.”

Cantrelle has paid $216,000 into his fund this year as of Oct. 30.

The Raceland businessman had $17,813.49 on hand as of the end of last month. During the latest reporting period, which ran from Oct. 3 to Oct. 31, he loaned himself $45,000 and spent $45,653. He began the period with $18,466.91.

In total, Cantrelle has reported $162,094.71 in campaign expenditures during 2011. He spent slightly less than $110,000 on advertising, $13,500 on commissioning polls, $6,300 on donations and $33,150 in consulting fees.

“I think it has worked. I think people wanted it positive and change,” Cantrelle said of his strategy. “I’m very, very happy that I think we’re going to have change.”

Cantrelle said he would continue to harp on bringing change to the parish. The 69-year-old Democrat said no public official should serve more than eight years in one position and promised to limit himself to two terms if he wins.

“People need to not be afraid of changes when positive changes will take place,” Cantrelle said “I need to tell the people that I’m very happy. I want positive changes, we’re going to have those positive changes, and we’re going to represent all the people of Lafourche Parish. No matter who you are, you’re going to be represented equally and you’ll be represented in a positive manner.”

Randolph received $76,900 in campaign contributions this year. Several of her most substantial donations came from outside of the parish: River Birch Waste Disposal, of Harvey, Michael Richard, of Metairie, and William Smith, of Houma, are among nine individuals or entities who made the maximum allowed donation to the Randolph campaign.

“I think there are many people who see the progress we’ve made and certainly want to ensure that we continue this progress,” Randolph said.

The incumbent had $1,873.66 on hand as of the first of the month. She started the last period with $26,500, received $18,700 in campaign donations and spent $43,405.

In total, Randolph has reported $60,594.23 in campaign expenditures this year. She spent about $58,000 on advertising and about $2,000 in donations.

As it pertains to the spending gap, tilted in a direction opposite one would expect in a race featuring an eight-year incumbent, Randolph said she is selling her record instead of her name.

“While he’s spending a lot of money for name recognition, we’re talking to people about issues that concern them, and we think that will be the difference,” the 58-year-old Republican said. “We’re touting the endorsements we have from people who will be in office in 2012, so that they can continue to work with Lafourche Parish.”

The parish president’s record includes securing hundreds of millions of dollars for drainage and hurricane protection projects. Although most of the money comes from federal sources, Randolph said it is her connections with state and federal sources that has allowed the parish to bolster its defenses. Change isn’t always a good thing, she added.

“I hope that voters understand that change is a word that we’re all beginning to fear, just because of what’s happening in Washington,” she said. “The changes that are occurring are directly impacting pension funds as well as business decisions. The word change has a connotation to it that makes people fear it.”