Voters will take to the polls Saturday to choose a lieutenant governor and vote on a number of other races and proposals.
The most significant choice will be among the eight candidates for the office of lieutenant governor. Scott Angelle, who occupies the position now, decided not to run for re-election.
Five Republicans are vying for the position: Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis, Lafayette-area country musician Sammy Kershaw, Baton Rouge-area physician Melanie McKnight and state Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere.
Three Democrats are also running for the position: former Caddo Parish Police Juror Jim Crowley from Shreveport, New Orleans-area lawyer Caroline Fayard — who received an endorsement from former President Bill Clinton — and state Sen. Butch Gautreaux, D-Morgan City.
Dardenne has been favored to win the race, with a healthy lead in most polls and more campaign cash than his opponents.
The lieutenant governor is next in line for the governor’s post should the governor resign or be incapacitated, according to the state constitution.
The lieutenant governor also oversees the state’s tourism industry, museum coordination, advertising campaigns and other activities for attracting visitors to the state.
Other statewide proposals include a constitutional amendment to move legislative sessions in even-numbered years to the second Monday in March and in odd-numbered years to the second Monday in April. That would sync the state’s legislative business with most state legislatures nationwide.
Another amendment would exempt all employees in the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from classified civil service.
The bill would mean employees of GOHSEP would not work under the State Civil Service. Proponents argue civil service protections for hiring employees could hinder the office during emergencies. Opponents argue removing those protections gives the governor more power and might politicize the office.
Locally, the ballot includes a proposed $3.5-mil, 12-year property tax increase that would almost double funding to the city’s cash-strapped Capital Area Transit System. CATS administrators say the increased funding would allow for a complete revamp of the system.
CATS administrators say citizens would see more frequent stops and more routes by CATS buses, including possible routes to the Mall of Louisiana and down Nicholson Drive.
Voters throughout East Baton Rouge Parish will also select a school board member from their district Saturday. Zachary voters will choose a new mayor, chief of police and metro council.
In other parishes, voters will choose judges, mayors, chiefs of police and state legislators. The 3rd District will select a U.S. representative.
Turnout for the election is expected to be low, especially given the 2:30 p.m. LSU home football game.
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Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]