(Metro Creative Services)

Republicans Kevin M. Berken and Erick Knezek will enter a run-off election for the District Seven seat on the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Berken led the vote with 47,861 votes, or  36.8 percent. Knezek received 44,534 votes, or 34.24 percent. 

The third candidate who ran for the seat, Cathay S. Banks, also Republican, landed at just under 30 percent with 37,654 votes.

District Seven is comprised of eight parishes: Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette and Vermillion.

BESE votes on state regulations for Louisiana school systems, including guidelines for budget, policy, and curriculum.