Runoff Election Set This Saturday

 Louisiana voters will go to the polls statewide this Saturday to choose candidates in runoff elections.  The only race statewide will be for U.S. Senate between incumbent Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) and her challenger, Congressman Bill Cassidy (R).

The third place candidate, Col. Rob Maness, has endorsed Cassidy, and Cassidy has a wide lead in the polls.

In the Sixth Congressional District, former Gov. Edwin Edwards (D) and Garret Graves (R) emerged from a large field in the primary, which included nine Republican candidates.

In the northern part of the parish, voters will choose a new district judge between Southern Law professor Clarence Coon (D) and Assistant District Attorney Beau Higginbotham (R).

In Baton Rouge, voters will decide three school board races. In District 1, Mark Bellue (R) faces Jennifer Andrews (D). In District 5, Jerry Arbour (R) faces Evelyn Jackson Ware, and in District 8, Chris Bailey(R) faces Connie Bernard (R).

In Ward 3, District 3 (the St. George area) incumbent Justice of the Peace Larry Spencer is in a runoff with attorney Kent Mayeux.

Voters in the Central area will decide on whether to raise property taxes by 4.25 mills to provide additional staffing at fire stations.

Voters parishwide will decide whether to break the parish Department of Public Works into several smaller departments.  Metro Councilman Ryan Heck said he believes it will improve the workings of DPW.