Voisin considers facing Claudet

Terrebonne Parish Councilman Clayton Voisin, D-Dist. 7, has confirmed that he is considering a run against Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet for the government’s top seat in October 2011.

“It’s something I need to discuss with my wife a little bit more,” Voisin said as he noted that no official announcement would come until after the first of the year.

“I’ve had hundreds of friends who have asked for us to consider it and we are considering it,” Voisin said. “But there are so many other things going on right now with the economy, and the council, and myself.”

Voisin is completing his third term on the council and due to term-limits would not be eligible to seek that position again. He has been a strong critic of Claudet, who has served as parish president n his first time in public office n since being elected in 2007.

Voisin has particularly questioned Claudet’s budgeting priorities.

Claudet noted that dealing with major hurricanes, the worst oil spill in history and an economy-damaging drilling moratorium during his term has made him a stronger leader. Voisin contends that events of the past three years have placed the incumbent’s qualifications in question.

Claudet confirmed on Nov. 5 his intention to seek re-election and stressed that he will be running on the accomplishments of proceeding with levee improvements, road expansion, and quality of life issues. “I intend to aggressively campaign,” he said.

“We’ve had some tremendous challenges during this administration,” Claudet said. “We’ve met the challenges each time. Look around the Parish. We’re thriving. If it weren’t for the moratorium we’d be blowing and going. We have resilient people. We have a good parish. We just need to continue to move Terrebonne so it is the leader of the region.”

Voisin is counting on his years in public service to carry him through his expected election bid. He noted that District 7 is one of the most diverse in Terrebonne Parish and encompasses Grand Caillou, Dulac, and parts of subdivisions for the areas of Acadian, Bayou Black, Bayou Dularge, Elysian Fields, Mulberry, Plantation Gardens, and Summerfield. The district also covers part of the Intercoastal Waterway, the Houma Navigational Canal, the Port of Terrebonne, industrial areas and the Terrebonne Parish corrections facilities.