Edwards, Ardoin return to state offices

Voters across Acadia Parish went to the polls Saturday where they faced a short, but important ballot.
Incumbent Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, held onto his seat after a tough challenge from his Republican opponent, Eddie Riponse, a wealthy businessman and political newcomer who was supported by President Trump.
Edwards slimly defeated Rispone by approximately 40,000 votes with 50.7 percent of Louisiana’s voters casting ballots (774,469 to 734,128).
The incumbent was returned to office with high voter turnout in the state’s urban areas, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport. Rispone gathered most of the state’s rural parishes and areas.
When looking at local voters, Rispone carried Acadia Parish with over 70 percent of the votes (14,189 to 5,555).
Edwards still remains the only Democratic governor in the Deep South, but not a typical Democrat. Edwards is a pro-Second Amendment gun owner who recently signed one of the country’s strictest anti-abortion bills only months ago.
In the other only state-wide race was for Secretary of State. Republican Kyle Ardoin was elected to his first full term. He has held the seat since winning a special election last year when former Secretary of State Tom Schedler resigned.
Ardoin defeated Democratic challenger Gwen Collins-Greenup 867,449 (59%) to 601,102 (41%).
Turnout state-wide was at 49.4 percent, while Acadia Parish followed suit at 49.7 percent.
Ardoin carried a large percent with Acadia Parish voters with 15,179 votes (79.4%) to 3,935 votes for Collins-Greenup (20.6%).
Renewals for three parish Fire Protection Districts were decided by voters in those areas.
Voters in Acadia Parish approved renewal of a 10-mill property tax for Fire Protection District No. 9 by a vote of 2,359 to 921, while voters in the Branch area okayed renewal an 8.01-mill tax for fire protection by a vote of 564 to 186.
“On behalf of the Rayne Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Protection District No. 9, I would like to thank the voters for renewing the property tax,” stated Rayne Fire Chief Allen “Noochie” Credeur. “This will ensure continuous fire protection for homeowners in this portion of the parish.”
Continuing with parish elections, voters in the Church Point area voted down a proposed $25 parcel fee to fund Fire Protection District No. 10 by a vote of 1,034 against to 948 for.
In the Iota-Lyons Point area, a 5-mill renew was approved by a vote of 832 to 354 to fund drainage work there.
A number of tax proposals were decided, including four millage renewals overwhelmingly approved by Crowley voters.
• Proposition 1 - 5-mill renewal for salaries of police and fire personnel: Yes 2,456 (69.1 percent); No 1,097 (30.9 percent).
• Proposition 2 - 5-mill renewal for street maintenance: Yes 2,392 (67.8 percent); 1,138 (32.2 percent).
• Proposition 3 - 5-mill renewal for public buildings and drainage maintenance: 2,383 (67.8 percent); No 1,133 (32.2 percent).
• Proposition 4 - 0.75-mill renewal for cemetery maintenance: Yes 2,334 (66.4 percent); 1,181 (33.6 percent).