Qualifying ends, ballots set for March election
Published 4:38 pm Friday, January 31, 2025
Qualifying for the March 29 election ended Friday and now the ballots are set.
Several candidates were elected outright after no one filed to run against them during the three-day qualifying period, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Cade Cole, a Republican, ran unopposed for associate justice to the Louisiana Supreme Court’s 3rd District. Calcasieu Parish Assistant District Attorney Hope Wyatt Buford — a Republican and daughter of Judge Robert Wyatt — was elected outright for district judge for 14th Judicial District Court Division D. Attorney Lee Hoffoss, a Republican, also ran unopposed for district judge for the 14th Judicial District Court Division B.
Several candidates were also re-elected outright to the Lake Charles City Council. Councilman Ronnie Harvey Jr., a Democrat, was re-elected for District A; Matt Young, an independent, ran unopposed for District D; Stuart Weatherford, a Republican, was re-elected to District E; and Craig Marks, a Democrat, was re-elected to District F.
Vinton Police Chief Scott Spell, a Republican, was re-elected outright as were Vinton Council members Diane Conner, Lindsey Jennings Stanley and Michael JK Wright, all Republicans, and Stephanie Hardy and “B.B.” Loyd, both Democrats.
Monte Woods, a Democrat, was re-elected outright to the DeRidder City Council District 2. “Stevie” Van Hook, a Republican, was re-elected outright to the Jennings City Council District E. Casey Haymon, a Republican, ran unopposed for Constable Justice of the Peace for Ward 2 in Vernon Parish. “Kris” LaBuff, a Republican, an unopposed for Allen Parish School Board District 7.
Here is a list of who qualified in Southwest Louisiana elections:
Calcasieu
Mayor of Lake Charles — Wilford Carter II, a Democrat; incumbent Nic Hunter and Khalid Taha, both Republicans; Marshall Simien Jr., an independent; and James Steward, no party.
Lake Charles City Council District B — incumbent Luvertha August and Donald Fondel, both Republicans.
Lake Charles City Council District C — Tommy Bilbo, Charles Gallien, Donald Hanchett, Amanda Fontenot Johnson and Pricilla Sam, all Democrats.
Lake Charles City Council District G — Grant Cholley, Republican, and Matthew Vezinot, no party.
Mayor of Vinton — Bonnie Jo Bahnsen and incumbent Marcus Renfrow, both Republicans.
Beauregard
Mayor of DeRidder — “Mike” Harper, no party, Michael D. Harris and interim mayor “Randy” Larken, both independents, and “Danny” Reynolds, a Republican.
Jeff Davis
Mayor of Jennings — Melvin Adams and Christopher “Chris” Carrier, both Democrats, and incumbent Henry Guinn, a Republican.
Jennings City Council District A — Marcus Davis and incumbent Carolyn King Simon, both no party, and Elisha Neal Duhon, a Republican.
Jennings City Council District B — incumbent William “Johnny” Armentor and Wayne Ledbetter, both Republicans.
Jennings City Council District C — Carl Benoit, an independent, and incumbent Clifton LeJeune, a Republican.
Vernon
Mayor of DeRidder — “Mike” Harper, no party, Michael D. Harris and interim mayor “Randy” Larken, both independents, and “Danny” Reynolds, a Republican.
Hornbeck alderman — Jeffery Denman and John Fain, both Republicans.