Jeff Davis Parish residents on Saturday overwhelmingly elected local attorney Lauren Heinen as their next district attorney.

Lake Arthur voters also renewed separate taxes to support recreation, streets and drainage.

Heinen led the three-person race with 3,672 votes, or 58 percent of the vote over interim District Attorney Elliott Cassidy who received 2,203 votes, or 35 percent of the votes, according to complete but unofficial results from the Secretary of State.

Daniel Sparks, a local attorney and public defender, drew 500 votes, or 8 percent.

The election was held to fill the seat vacated by the untimely death of 31st Judicial Court District Attorney Kevin Millican, who died last July six months after taking office.

Heinen, who currently serves as counsel for the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, campaigned on her experience as an attorney, business owner and special counsel.

She previously served as a public defender in Acadia Parish and is a founding partner of Heinen and Guinn Law Firm in Jennings. She plans to continue her private practice while serving as district attorney.

Heinen will fill the district attorney’s seat until 2026.

Voter turnout for the district attorney’s race was 31 percent.

In Lake Arthur, voters renewed a 10-year, 2.84-mill for maintenance and operation of recreational facilities and public parks by a 269-102 vote, or 73 percent in favor with a 23 percent voter turnout. The tax will generate $29,100 annually.

Voters also renewed a 10-year, 5.51-mill tax by a vote of 261-109, or 71 percent in favor with a 23 percent voter turnout. The tax will generate $56,400 annually for the maintenance and upkeep of streets and alleys.

A 10-year, 5.51-mill tax for maintenance and upkeep of the drainage system and ditches was also renewed by a 269-100 vote, or 73 percent in favor with a 23 percent voter turnout. The tax will generate $56,400 annually.