Qualifying for the May elections ended Friday, setting the stage for a busy ballot in Richland Parish.
Several local races drew multiple candidates.
In the special election for Police Juror District 3, Lametress Bell-Rodgers of Rayville, John Gee of Rayville, Sharon Kelley of Rayville and Gary Miller of Rayville all qualified as Democrats.
The race for mayor of the Town of Rayville includes Joseph D. Fletcher Jr. of Rayville, Jerry Gordon of Rayville and Consuela M. Hunter of Rayville, all Democrats; “Tim” Hoychick of Rayville, a Republican; and Morgan Moss Jr. of Rayville, who qualified as a member of the Green Party.
Two candidates qualified for chief of police in Rayville. “Chris” Alyea of Rayville qualified with no party affiliation and Willie Lee Robinson Sr. of Rayville qualified as a Democrat.
A crowded field also emerged for the five seats on the Rayville Board of Aldermen.
Howard Banks, Thurman Brown, Paula Buie Cumpton, Debra K. James, Harry “Kayo” Lewis, Toni Foster Potts, Dazzmon D. Sledge and Colleen Dorsey Smith all qualified as Democrats. Jordan “J-Hubb” Hubbard qualified with no party affiliation.
At the state level, several candidates qualified for U.S. Senate.
On the Democratic side, Nicholas “Nick” Albares of New Orleans, Gary Crockett of New Orleans and “Jamie” Davis of Ferriday filed to seek the seat.
Republicans qualifying for U.S. Senate include “Bill” Cassidy of Baton Rouge, John Fleming of Minden, Julia Letlow of Baton Rouge and Mark Spencer of Belle Chasse.
In the race for U.S. representative for the 5th Congressional District, Democrats Jessee Fleenor of Loranger, Larry Foy of Winnsboro, Lindsay “Rubia” Garcia of Walker, Dan McKay of Bunkie and Tania Nyman of Baton Rouge qualified.
Republicans qualifying for the 5th District seat are Misti Cordell of West Monroe, Michael Echols of Monroe, “Rick” Edmonds of Central, Austin Magee of Franklinton, Michael Mebruer of St. Francisville, Blake Miguez of Baton Rouge and Samuel “Sammy” Wyatt of Denham Springs.
For Public Service Commission District 5, Democrats James Edward Green of Shreveport and Austin Lawson of Bossier City qualified. Republicans John E. Atkins of Shreveport and Aiden C. Joyner of West Monroe also filed.
With qualifying now closed, candidates will begin campaigning in earnest ahead of the upcoming election. Voters in Richland Parish will have a full slate of federal, state and local races to consider when they head to the polls.
