4 Candidates in Council District 4 Want to Represent Shenandoah

CITY OF ST. GEORGE — On Saturday, March 29, voters in the Shenandoah area will go to the polls to elect the first-ever member from St. George City Council District 4.  

Four candidates will be on the ballot — interim City Council member Patty Cook who was appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry, David Madaffari, Shannon Powell, and Justin Turner. If no one receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held Saturday, May 3.  

Here are announcement statements provided by the candidates. Ms. Powell did not provide a statement.  The quotes attributed to her are from her Facebook page.

Patty Cook

CITY OF ST. GEORGE — Patty Cook is running for St. George Council District 4 encompassing areas east of Jones Creek Rd including Shenandoah Estates and White Oak Landing. She and her husband Trey were volunteers and petition coordinators for both petition drives and served on the committee leading the effort to create the City of St. George for the past 14 years. Patty was appointed by Governor Landry in May 2024 to serve on the interim City Council.

Patty graduated from Tara High School and LSU. Prior to starting her family, she was the Director of Administration for Cellular One. After becoming a mother, Patty shifted her focus to community service and volunteerism, dedicating herself to the causes that matter most to her: education, youth, and local development. Patty has two daughters, a son-in-law and a five-month-old grandson. She is currently a substitute teacher at the LSU Lab School. 

Patty has served on various committees within the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. She is a strong believer in parental involvement in schools and knows the difference it can make to students of all ages.

The journey to create St. George has been a personal mission for Patty. She has dedicated over a decade of her life to creating the city. She is committed to building a St. George that prioritizes the needs of families, supports local businesses, and ensures a vibrant future for all. She is asking for your vote on March 29 to build a city we are all proud of.

David Madaffari

CITY OF ST. GEORGE — David Madaffari, candidate for St. George City Council District 4, said, “My journey to running for the City Council started out simply as an average citizen desiring to be involved in this historic moment in our state’s history. After volunteering with the Transition District, I felt a calling to attract more people to get involved in the city, utilizing videos and social posts to keep the people informed.” 

“This personal engagement with the people of St. George helped me develop my four priorities that I believe will make St. George one of the great cities of Louisiana:

1. Fiscal Accountability – I will vote only for the most effective allocation of our tax dollars, demand tangible, verifiable returns on expenditures, and address any conflicts of interest.

2. Government Transparency – I will demand that all budgets and expenditure reports be made publicly searchable online. I will also push for more far-reaching information dissemination to keep citizens informed.

3. Citizen Engagement – I will be the most accessible council person by providing weekly updates through videos and social posts, citizen surveys prior to upcoming votes, and hosting Live Q&A’s monthly to get to know the issues you care about.

4. Schools – I will firmly advocate for the formation of our School District as swiftly as possible. I endorse re-imagining our curricula to include an emphasis on practical life skills, Play-to-Learn, Skills and Trade vocations, and Apprenticeships. 

“Please visit DavidForStGeorge.com for complete details on my commitments to you.”

“I humbly ask for your vote on March 29.”

Shannon Powell

CITY OF ST. GEORGE — Shannon Powell said, “As District 4 Council member, my priority will be ensuring St. George remains a thriving, family-friendly community while keeping the tax burden low. Families need time to grow and strengthen, but financial strain often forces parents to work excessively, leaving less time for their children.” 

“I am committed to making responsible, cost-efficient decisions that enhance our city without adding unnecessary financial pressure on residents. By prioritizing smart investments and sustainable growth, we can maintain the high quality of life St. George is known for—allowing parents to focus on what matters most: raising and supporting their families.”

“St. George’s leadership has justified high salaries for political figures as a way to attract quality candidates, but this mindset is flawed; especially when there are pressing community needs still unmet. Before creating and justifying these salaries, we should have first established a solid foundation and a clear plan for our city’s growth. These positions should be volunteer-based until we have a better understanding of our resources and priorities. Rushed, poorly-planned decisions like these can come at a high cost to our residents. As your District 4 Council member, I will ensure we take a responsible, strategic approach; focusing on smart investments, eliminating wasteful spending, and making decisions that truly benefit our community. Let’s stop putting the cart before the horse and build a city that works for everyone.”

Justin Turner

CITY OF ST. GEORGE — “My name is Justin Turner, and I am a local business owner and dedicated member of our community. I own and operate a quality consulting and inspection agency, where I have built processes from the ground up to ensure efficiency, accountability, and long term success. I have also helped establish and continue to provide operational support to a local dog rescue my wife Courtney Turner runs.” 

“I am running for District 4 Council because St. George is at a critical stage. As a newly-formed city,  it needs strong leadership and a solid foundation for long-term success. Just as I have done in my own business, I want to help establish the policies, processes, and structure that will allow St. George to thrive. As Louisiana’s fifth-largest city, we have a unique opportunity to build a government that is efficient, accountable, and forward thinking from the beginning.” 

“I believe in strategic planning, strong leadership, and commitment to the community. My experience in developing systems, solving complex challenges, and working with people to get things done makes me ready to serve. Together we can lay the foundation for a thriving St. George. Vote Justin Turner #18.”