Bennett, Dunn in runoff for Sheriff of Caldwell Parish

by joni taylor
Voting in Caldwell Parish for the Primary was low this election. The total number of voters registered in Caldwell Parish is 6,623. Only 62.9% voted which is 4,166 voters, including Early/Absentee voting. Not all voters voted for every office up for election. 2457 or 37.1% of voters did not go to the polls this election.
There will be a runoff for two key positions and several police jury positions. Scott Meredith will remain as Assessor after receiving 79.75% of the votes. In the Sheriff’s race there will be a runoff between Clay Bennett who received 31.35% of the votes and Courtney Dunn receiving 26.96% of the votes. In the Clerk of Court race there will be a runoff between Cherie Cox-Carey who received 45.11% of the votes and David May who received 17.89% of the votes.
The General election and runoff will be on Saturday, November 21. Early voting will be from Saturday, November 7 and Monday November 9 through Saturday November 14 at the Registrar’s office from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
For Police Juror districts the results are as follows: District 1 - There will be a runoff between Robert Duncan with 45.64% of the votes and Kenneth “Speck” Graham with 44.30% of the votes. District 2 - Lanny Dark - Incumbent won with 62.48% of the votes. District 3 - There will be a runoff between Ben Clark with 22.61% of the vote and Bobby Ray Dubose with 19.43% of the vote. District 4 - There will be a runoff between Incumbent Eddie Hearns with 39.24% of the vote and Kevin Martin with 37.44% of the vote. District 5 - Incumbent Manuel Escalon won with 53.54% of the votes. District 6 - There will be a runoff with Incumbent Glenn Barnhill who received 48.07% of the vote against Jimmy Gaylor who received 26.85% of the vote. District 7 - There will be a runoff between Joe C. Bates with 48.39% of the votes and Aubrey Bratton who received 40.11% of the votes.
In the election for State Representative - 20th Representative District Incumbent Steven E. “Steve” Pylant won with 61.07% of the vote.
Statewide election results are as follows: There will be a runoff for Governor between John Bel Edwards with 39.88% of the votes and David Vitter with 23.00% of the votes. The Lieutenant Governor’s race will be a runoff between Melvin L. “Kip” Holden with 33.27% of the votes and “Billy” Nungesser with 29.95% of the votes. Secretary of State was won by “Tom” Schedler who received 62.22% of the vote. The Attorney General’s race will have a runoff between Incumbent James D. “Buddy” Caldwell with 35.36% of the vote and “Jeff” Landry with 32.66% of the vote. In the Treasurer race John Kennedy won with 80.10% of the race. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry was won by Michael G. “Mike” Strain with 58.18% of the vote. The Commissioner of Insurance was won by “Jim” Donelon won with 53.53% of the race.
The Amendments results were: CA NO. 1 (Act 473 - SB 202) -- Budget and Transportation Stabilization Trust 52.51% voted NO which leaves the current revenue flow and Budget Stabilization Fund intact. CA NO. 2 (Act 471 - HB 618) -- Funds for Transportation 52.86% voted YES which allows the treasurer to invest public funds in a state infrastructure bank. CA NO. 3 (Act 472 - HB 518) -- Fiscal Legislative Session 54.30% voted NO which leaves in place the specific list of allowable tax legislation for fiscal sessions. CA NO. 4 (Act 470 - HB 360) -- Property Tax Exemption for Public Land/Property 51.42% voted YES which will require states or local governments outside of Louisiana to pay taxes on properties they own in Louisiana.
For more news from Caldwell Parish, go to www.caldwellwatchman.com.