Republicans vie for Thibodaux council

One says “progress, not politics” and the other says “experience counts.”

On Nov. 4, Republicans Lloyd “Chip” Badeaux and Beau Brooks, will vie for the vacant Thibodaux Councilman-at-Large D seat that covers the entire city.

The election is to appoint someone to fill the last two remaining years of the at-large seat that was held by Jerome “Dee” Richard, who is now the District 55 State Representative.

During the Oct. 4 election, Brooks led the other three candidates with 1,075 votes. He edge out Badeaux, a former Thibodaux councilman-at-large, by 132 votes sending them into a runoff.

Brooks is the new face on the block. This is the candidate’s first time running for political office.

If elected, Brooks said he wants to be a voice of reason.

“We need someone who is able to think independently and who is able to see both sides of the issue,” he said. “My training as a lawyer helps to evaluate the issues so that I can represent the people of Thibodaux.”

Brooks is running under the campaign slogan “Progress, not politics.” He is focused on improving the quality of life for all Thibodaux residents.

“I am invested in our city. I have started a business here and I want to raise my family here,” he said. “It is important that the Thibodaux Council has a new face that can help plan for the future.”

When asked what does improving quality of life encompass, Brooks said, “Everything.”

“When you have good drainage, your life is better. When you have recreational activities to look forward to, your life is better,” he said. “And when you have quality healthcare, you life is better.”

However, Brooks’ opponent is running under a totally different campaign. Badeaux says “Experience Counts.”

“I have a proven track record of what I have already accomplished,” he said. “There are a lot of examples that I can recite from my 12 years on the council from 1999 to 2002.”

Some of his accomplishments include creating the Glenwild Extension, which was part of the infrastructure in the city of Thibodaux. He received funding from global business and the state to change the north canal boulevard road from a two lane to a three-lane roadway.

Then, he actually wrote and introduce Thibodaux’s sign ordinance, which help to rezone the city. He also helped rewrite the city’s charter.

Badeaux said he is not a candidate or an elected official that will come to the council meetings and just take the issues and vote yes or no.

“I have always been very proactive and I always came up with ideas and different things that I feel that are necessary in the community,” he said. “I push and worked with the council to get the support that I need and the funding that I need to get the project accomplished.”

After a five-year hiatus from the council to pursue other political avenues, Badeaux is looking to return and continue his efforts in the community.

It wasn’t Badeaux’s intention to run for political office again. But when, Richard was elected State Representative he took it as an opportunity to rejoin the fight.

“The last time I was on the council,” he said. “I ask council members to create a wish list of what they thought was needed in their districts. And, just like anything else in business and in life, if you set goals and write them down, then you have something to shoot for.”