Saturday, March 23, 2013

Early Voting Begins Today In Jefferson Parish

Early voting begins today in parts of the East Bank of Jefferson Parish, as well as Gretna and Westwego on the West Bank.

On the East Bank, four candidates, all Republicans, are vying for the 24th JDC, Division D Judge seat vacated by Judge Robert Murphy. The winner will serve the remaining year of Murphy’s former term and be subject to re-election next year.
The four, all attorneys, are:

-          Hilary Landry of Metairie. Landry has been a private practice attorney and also the head of the Jefferson Parish Drug Court Prosecutions from 2008 – 2012.She has been endorsed by The Alliance for Good Government and the Jefferson Chamber PAC among others.

-          Lorraine Perkins McInnis of Metairie. McInnis is a private attorney and is the past President of Jefferson  Bar Association.

-          Scott Schlegel of Metairie. Schlegel was a Felony Prosecutor in Jefferson Parish from 2009 – 2012 and was a Prosecutor in the Jefferson Parish Family Violence Unit from 2007 – 2008. Prior to that he was also a private practice attorney.

-          John Sudderth of River Ridge. Sudderth began his career as an Orleans Parish Prosecutor and has also been an Assistant Attorney General for the state under then-AG Charles Foti. He has also worked as a private practice and corporate attorney.

Voters also can cast early ballots for Mayors and City Councilmen in Gretna and Westwego.
In Gretna, former Councilmen Belinda Constant (D) and Vincent Cox (R) square off for Mayor.  The Alliance for Good Government has endorsed Constant.

In Gretna Council District 2, Democrat Carl Contranchis faces Joseph Marino III and Sherman Rogers. Marino and Rogers are not affiliated with any political party. The Alliance endorsed Marino.
In a lively race, four candidates are vying for Gretna Council District 3 as Rodney Hinrichs (No Party), Elaine Molaison Johnson (R), Mark Miller (R) and “Milos” Valenta (No Party), face off. Valenta was endorsed by The Alliance For Good Government, which subsequently rescinded their endorsement.

Shifting to Westwego, three candidates are seeking the position of Mayor. Ted Munch (D), Johnny Shaddinger Jr. (D) and Lisa Valence (R) meet. Shaddinger is the Incumbent while Munch is the former Councilman for District 2. Voters are also familiar with Valance as she ran against Shaddinger in 2009 and was also on the Westwego City Council.
The Jefferson Voters Federation (JVF) endorsed Munch while the Alliance endorsed Shaddinger.

Al Kaiser and Johnny Nobles Jr. are running for the District 2 Westwego Council seat. The JVF and Alliance endorsed Kaiser.

In Westwego District 3 Council race, Democrats Norman Fonseca and current Councilman Ivy Rogers meet. Rogers was endorsed by the JVF and the Alliance.
Westwego District 4 features three opponents: Harris Camardelle (No Party), Democratic Incumbent Melvin Guidry and Republican Garrison “Gary” Toups. Guidry received the support of the JVF and the Alliance.

And in District 5, Democrat John Poche’ and Courtney Watts Reyes (No Party) face Republican Incumbent Larry Warino. Warino also received the endorsement of both the JVF and Alliance.
At a forum Wednesday night, all of the Westwego candidates, except for Reyes, signed a pledge stating that they would support an end to the Crescent City Connection tolls.

Election day is April 6th. A runoff, if required, will be held on May 4th, as will the revote of the Crescent City Connection toll extension.