DeSantis: Terrebonne horse races demand attention

Terrebonne ACT scores show significant hike
July 15, 2015
Terrebonne Superintendent set for raise
July 15, 2015
Terrebonne ACT scores show significant hike
July 15, 2015
Terrebonne Superintendent set for raise
July 15, 2015

The qualifying date for this year’s elections is still nearly two months away, and already there is strong evidence of political jockeying that in some races will result in a lot of choices for a lot of people.


The Terrebonne Parish District 6 seat has four candidates so far.

Incumbent Red Hornsby has been challenged by former school administrator Clyde Hamner, former Tri-Parish Times publisher Darrin Guidry and YMCA director Angi Falgout.

All of them have records of public service in varying degrees, and the record shows a track record of relative success in quests for other offices.


Guidry’s contest against Bret Allain for State Senate in 2011 comes to mind. Although Allain was the victor, Guidry’s showing was more than respectable vote-wise.

Falgout has a high profile position and lots of experience with other community service involvements. Hamner, though probably the candidate with the lowest public profile, also has a demonstrated flock of supporters.

Council incumbent John Navy, who represents District 1, is facing challenges from former Coucilman Alvin Tillman and retired assistant fire chief Daniel Turner. The campaigns will be interesting to watch.


Financial planner Chris Domangue is challenging long-time representative Christa Duplantis-Prather for her District 5 council seat. Expect some back-and-forth regarding the contested Vanguard property off of U.S. Highway 90 in Houma, an issue both have discussed extensively this past year.

Another race being closely watched is that for District 52 representative in the state legislature, vacant with the departure of term-limited Gordon Dove. Only two candidates are declared, former Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority chair Jerome Zeringue, and beverage distributor J.J. Buquet. Both are well-known locally, and on a personal basis are said to be friends. But there is no telling what other hats might end up in the ring. Zeringue has benefitted from a letter of support from Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz Jr., whose popularity is unassailable. Waitz is Zeringue’s brother-in-law but also a good friend and neighbor of Buquet.

State Rep. Lenar Whitney, who made a dismal showing in her run for Congress, and drew national attention for her didactic global warming video on YouTube, is being challenged by Houma attorney Tanner Magee. Whitney has made a stand based on her political and personal beliefs. Tanner is a newcomer, but a well-spoken one, both nimble and respected in his more familiar venue.


Rep. Joe Harrison faces a challenge from Terrebonne Council member Beryl Amedee. Amedee has earned the respect of many people, even some who may disagree with some of her broader views as a strict social conservative. Harrison has been hard-working and high-profiled. He has earned a reputation – for better or worse – of not working well with others in government. But he and his supporters maintain that his maverick status is part of his appeal, and that his refusal to play along goes to his character.

The bid for out-going Parish President Michel Claudet’s job, being fought out by Gordon Dove and Council member, Danny Babin, offers voters an additional interesting choice. Both stand on records of experience and community service; Dove’s campaign is generally seen as better-financed, but the potential outcome, especially with the potential of other candidates entering the fray not yet ruled out, will be difficult to predict.

Examining at the slates of people involved or wishing to be involved with government this year is in some ways an exercise in optimism. Any community where so many talented people are willing to do the work required for these offices is a healthy community. So far, for the most part, everyone is keeping it clean, which will be seen as a relief by many voters.


Ah yes … the voters … they are the missing part of these equations.

The system appears to be working well on one end, judging by the involvement. But it takes the voters, all of us making the best choices we can, to truly make self-government work. Those who are eligible but not registered need to hurry up and make that happen. Whether through early voting or a trek to the polls on Election Day, voters must plan now to make a difference. All the talk bandied about concerning liberty and how great a nation we live in is cheap if not backed up by the vote. So we all have a responsibility to study the candidates carefully, to ask questions, and to make sure our voices are heard.