A BATTLE WON, BUT NOT THE WAR
July 28, 2018
Arlene DeHart
July 28, 2018
Parents will be paying extra attention this fall to Terrebonne and Lafourche Public Schools, as they prepare to either re-elect incumbent members of the school boards in their respective parishes, or select someone new to represent the best interests of their child, children or family member.
The primary election is Tuesday, Nov 6.
In Terrebonne Parish, voters will consider a candidate for 8 of its 9 school board districts. Only one school board member was re-elected without opposition, and that was Roger Dale DeHart, (R), who represents District 7.
In District 1, Michael Lagarde will challenge long-time incumbent Roosevelt Thomas. Both men are Democrats.
In District 2, Woody Shamblin, (R), will challenge long-time incumbent Gregory Harding, (D).
In District 3, Matthew Ford, (R), will challenge long-time incumbent Richard Jackson, (D).
Ford is also an American Indian.
In District 4, Nelson Kramer, Jr., (D), will challenge incumbent Debi Benoit, (R).
In District 5, where incumbent Dr. Brenda Leroux Babin, (D), chose to not seek re-election, two contenders who are Republicans, will vy for the seat: Christopher Chiasson and Stacy Verhagen Solet.
In District 6, four contenders will challenge long-time incumbent L.P. Bordelon III (R) for his seat.
Three are Republicans: Clyde F. Hamner, Gary Hutchinson, and Marue Soudelier. One is No Party, Steven Schexnayder.
In District 8, MayBelle Trahan, (R), will challenge long-time incumbent Donald Duplantis, (R).
In District 9, long-time incumbent Vicki Bonvillain, (R), will face two challengers who are also Republican: Sarina Lirette and Dane Voisin. Bonvillain is also an American Indian.
In Lafourche Parish, 6 of the parish’s 15 school board members were re-elected without opposition.
They are: Brooke Huddleston, (R), District 2; Marian Fertitta, (R), District 4; Mary Breaud, (R), District 5; Clyde Duplantis III, (D), District 11; Al Archer, (D), District 13; and Ray Bernard, (D), District 14.
Two of the board’s districts, 6 and 10, have new members who were elected without any opposition.
Dennis Guillot, (R), will replaces Dr. Gregg Stall, who opted not to seek re-election, and Barry Plaisance, (R), will replace Dennis Chiasson, who is also not seeking re-election.
In District 1, long-time incumbent Donald Johnson, (D), will face challengers
Christine Babin, (No Party), Pamela McCann, (No Party), and Frank Pasqua, (D).
In District 3, Richmond Boyd Jr., incumbent school board member, has opted not to seek re-election There are two contenders vying for his present seat, Al Carter, (No Party), and Cheryl Thomas, (D).
In District 7, Gary Foret, incumbent school board member, has also opted not to seek re-election. There are two contenders vying for his present seat, and both are Democrats: Valerie Bourgeois and Terrolyn Mitchell.
In District 8, Raymond Toups, another incumbent school board member, is out after this year. There are also three contenders vying for his seat: Lawrence Autin, (D), Tyler Dufrene, (R), and Barry Uzee, (R).
In District 9, Julie Breaux, (D), incumbent school board member, is being challenged by two contenders: Cally Bonvillain, (No Party), and Randy Schouest, (No Party).
In District 12, Ann Bouvier Sanamo, incumbent school board member, is being challenged by Robby Gisclair, (R).
And in District 15, Calvin Duet, (D), is being challenged by Troy Dufrene, (No Party).
