After the numbers from Tuesday’s election came into the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Office, it was learned four incumbent office holders from across the parish had lost their respective elections.
C.J. Dardeau, who had been serving as Alderman in District A for the City of Ville Platte for the past 41 years, was defeated by challenger Faye Lemoine. With five of five precincts reporting, Lemoine received 70.88 percent of the total votes cast.
“I promise I’m going to represent the residents of District A well,” said Lemoine. “I’ll work very hard for them, and I’ll represent the city very well. I’m a hard worker, and I’m here to do the job.”
Of her opponent, Lemoine said, “I thank Mr. CJ Dardeau for all of his years of service. He’s been a wonderful city councilman. I’ve known Mr. CJ for years, and I have a lot of respect for that man. I wish him all the best.
In Mamou, incumbent Alderman for District 1 Freddie Matthew was defeated by challenger Derrell “Sheaky” Thomas, who received 58.06 percent of the vote.
“I want to thank my town and everybody who came out to vote,” said Thomas. “I want to thank Freddie for a good race. Now, we can do less talking and more action.”
The Village of Chataignier will have a new mayor as challenger Justin Darbonne with 67.30 percent of the vote defeated incumbent Jackie Malveaux Thomas.
Also in Chataignier, incumbent Aldermen Joseph Simien was the lowest vote getter of the four candidates running and received 54 of the total 316 votes. The top three vote getters; Carilyn “Tu” Arvie (112), Debra Fontenot (90), and John B. Brasseaux (60); were elected to serve on the village council.
Two other incumbents failed to receive a majority of the votes and will have to run in a runoff election scheduled for Saturday, December 8.
Brent Zackery was the leading vote getter for chief of police in Mamou after all the votes from the five precincts were tabulated. With 49.61 percent of the vote received in the election, he will face Charles Perdices in the runoff.
Also in a runoff is incumbent Alderman for District 2 in the Town of Basile Bron Dubroc. Dubroc mustered 30.66 percent of the vote compared to that of Kenny Burgess’ 25.93 percent.
Three vacant seats across the parish were filled in the outcome of Tuesday’s voting.
Catina Molitor-Hebert was elected with 60.25 percent of the vote to serve as alderman-at-large in Basile, Brook Chapman with 58.59 percent of the vote was elected to serve as alderman of District 2 in Mamou, and, with 55.97 percent of the vote, Lionel Anderson was elected as Alderman for District D in Ville Platte.
“I would like to thank the voters of District D for constantly supporting my journey,” said Anderson. “Regardless if you voted for me or against me is not important. It’s just a matter of all of us working together. Together we did, together we can, and together we will. Now that it’s all said and done, let the work begin.”
“I would like to thank my worthy opponent Vashanski Thomas,” he continued. “I would like to invite him to join my team and share some ideas for the benefit of our community.”
In Ville Platte, voters reelected the mayor, chief of police, and two aldermen.
With 72.18 percent of the vote, Jennifer Vidrine was reelected mayor in Ville Platte. “I will continue to fight until I fall for the City of Ville Platte,” she said, “and we are going to continue to move Ville Platte forward because Ville Platte is on the move.”
She continued, “I love all the citizens of Ville Platte and will continue to be the mayor for all the citizens.”
Chief Neal Lartigue was reelected with 58.08 percent of the vote. “I really appreciate the citizens of Ville Platte for putting their trust in me again for another four years,” he said. “I look forward to working for them.”
Being reelected as aldermen in Ville Platte were Donald Sam with 59.53 percent of the vote in District E and Bryant Riggs in District F with 68.6 percent.
“I want to thank my supporters and my wife,” Sam said. “I’m happy to start working again together. We have a long trip. I love y’all.”
Riggs expressed, “To the residents of District F, I thank you for supporting me. I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing. We have work to do, and we’re going to make it happen in Ville Platte. We’re going to get Ville Platte moving. We’re in the right direction. We’re just out of gas. We’re going to fill it back up and move the cart forward.”
To his opponent 21-year-old Kathan Arvie, Riggs said, “You have more guts than me. I joined the military when I was 18, and I thought that was brave. When you put your name to serve your community and the people you have to face everyday, that is a hard choice to make. I wouldn’t have made that decision as a 21-year-old. I wasn’t built for that.”
He continued, “Keep doing what you’re doing. I’m looking forward to working with you, and you will be the next city councilman after me.”
In Mamou, the Mayor Ricky Fontenot was reelected with 62.62 percent of the vote. “I want to first thank my wife for putting up with me all the time,” he said.
He added, “This race was pretty tough. I want to congratulate my opponents who ran a good clean race. Now, I’m the mayor again and an going to continue to do what I said I would do from the beginning. I’m going to always remain humble. I thank all my voters, and I want to thank God. Once again, I love you Phyllis.”
Voters in Mamou also reelected the Charles Reed to the seat of alderman for District 3 with 58.73 percent of the vote, and, over in Basile, voters reelected Allen Ivory Jr. to chief of police with 52.77 percent of the vote.
The lone proposition on the ballot to authorize fantasy sports contests in the parish passed by a slim margin of roughly two percent.
The numbers from Tuesday’s results are final but unofficial until the machines are opened tomorrow, Friday, November 9, at 10:00 a.m. at the voting machine warehouse behind Doug Ashy in Ville Platte. Candidates and the public are invited to attend.