In addition to contentious national and state races, St. Charles Parish voters will decide the next justices of the peace for three districts on Saturday. Though a number of candidates have been eliminated, turnout will likely be much lower than it was during the Nov. 4 primary.
“It’s like starting all over,” Henry Wolfe, a candidate for District 1 justice of the peace, said of the runoff election.
Wolfe faces off against Richard “Rick” Whitney Jr. Though Whitney garnered only 712 to Wolfe’s 946 votes, the other two candidates who were eliminated from the race in November have both publicly endorsed Whitney.
“By their actions, I’d say they both crossed party lines and said ‘hey, let’s support the best candidate,” Whitney said.Though he expects turnout to be lower on Saturday, Whitney is confident that votes from the eliminated candidates will favor him. He added that he has formal education and experience in dispute resolution, contract negotiation, interpretation and enforcement of property leases.
Wolfe, however, said his prior law experience and efforts to get out the vote put him in a better position to win.
“As I go out on the street, people are telling me they’re with me and they’re gonna go out and vote,” Wolfe said. “But the proof is in the pudding.”
At 73, Wolfe, who is not an incumbent, faces ousting via technicality based on a new Louisiana law that says constables and justices of the peace who have not been previously elected cannot serve past the age of 70.
The law, which was signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal last August, is currently suspended pending a class action lawsuit. If the suit is unsuccessful in changing the wording of the law, candidates over 70 may face elimination from any position gained during this latest election cycle.
Regardless of the outcome, Wolfe does not worry about his ability to do the job.
“I’m vigorous, I walk the levee two to three times a day,” he said. “My age is not a factor.
Meanwhile, the runoff race for District 5 justice of the peace took a bitter turn after candidate Tika Riley filed a complaint against her opponent, April Black. Riley secured more votes in the November election, but contends that her opponent violated the Judicial Code of Conduct by using signs that said “re-elect.” Though Black previously served on the St. Charles Parish Council, this is her first time running for justice of the peace.
Black countered that Riley has violated judicial rules stating that complaint proceedings are to remain confidential.
Riley has been endorsed by A.D. “Del” Barnes, who was eliminated from the District 5 justice of the peace race in November.
“I hope that his supporters will agree with him that I possess the legal qualifications, experience, personality and temperament to serve St. Rose,” Riley said.
Riley also said that she is the only candidate for District 5 with a legal background, which has prepared her to handle the issues of the justice court.
“I lived in St. Rose my entire life. My son attends school here,” Riley said. “I am invested.”
Black said she gained legal experience as a lawmaker and clerk and is prepared to administer justice in accordance with the laws of Louisiana.
Black said she is focusing on her accomplishments and everything she has done to improve St. Rose. She said she knows it’s difficult to get people to the polls twice, but is continuing to reach her supporters with reminders to cast their votes.
Even though Barnes has endorsed Riley, Black said her campaign has “continued to be overwhelmingly positive” as she reaches Barnes’ supporters.
“The majority of them are aware of my previous accomplishments in St. Rose,” Black said.
The District 2 justice of the peace race is the only one in which an incumbent is defending the seat. Earl “Pie” Tastet has served as justice of the peace for 25 years, but is being challenged by local business owner Randy Muller Jr.
Tastet took nearly 49 percent of the vote to Muller’s 38 percent in the Nov. 4 primary. Muller is confident, however, that votes garnered by the eliminated candidate, Vanessa Alexander Johnson, will favor him since both hail from Ama.
Muller, the owner and operator of Southern Latte Café, said he has been going door-to-door for the most part to get out the vote, and does not use his business as a pulpit to garner votes. He added that many of his customers, however, know he is running for office and support his candidacy.
“[The café] let’s me meet more people every day,” Muller said. “They think I’m a great candidate because of the fact that I’m always at my store, always available to help.”
Tastet, meanwhile, has said that his presence in the community through the Knights of Columbus and other memberships keeps his voters’ active.
“I move around, I don’t just stay home and watch TV,” Tastet said. “I just go out there and talk and I have my friends talk for me too, so I have good representation [in the community].”
In addition to the local races, some parish ballots will contain candidates for statewide races. All Louisiana voters will help decide the next U.S. senator.
On the national stage, Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu is battling for her career against Republican Rep. “Bill” Cassidy. Meanwhile, former Gov. Edwin Edwards is in a race against Garrett Graves for the 6th Congressional District to the U.S. House of Representatives, abandoned by Cassidy in his race for Senate.
At the state level, incumbent Eric Skrmetta is in a race with Forest Bradley Wright for District 1 public service commissioner. Skrmetta garnered 95,372 votes to Wright’s 99,271 votes during the primary.
Polls open on 7 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 and close at 8 p.m. For more information on where to vote, visit www.Geauxvote.com.
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