Recently retired Ville Platte Gazette Publisher, David Ortego, announces his candidacy for Evangeline Parish Police Jury representing District 7. After forty years as the head of paid and free newspaper publications (13 total) in Evangeline and Allen Parish plus in northeast Louisiana, Ortego is offering the constituents of District 7 his business background and many years of public service experience as valid assets for proper and professional representation.
Serving and representing is nothing new to Ortego. His past includes over two terms on the Evangeline Parish School Board, four years on the Evangeline Parish Solid Waste Commission, and thirteen years on both the Ville Platte Housing Authority Board (currently) and the Ville Platte Police and Fire Civil Service Board. Additionally Ortego has served as board member and officer of the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce.
Ortego also served the newspaper profession as board member, officer and past president of the Louisiana Press Association.
A lifelong resident of Evangeline Parish, Ortego is a graduate of Ville Platte High, ULL, LSU, and American Press Institute. He is married to Mona (retired mail order manager at Floyd’s Record Shop) and they have two sons, Jeremy, husband of Amy Ardoin, and Daniel. Jeremy is sales agent and assistant manager of Farm Bureau in Ville Platte and Daniel is a ship fitter at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He and Mona are proud grandparents of Sydni, Ella, Emeric, Sebastian and Laurelin.
As a member of Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, Ortego has served as a church council member, lecturer and ACTS retreatant.
In making his bid for Evangeline juror of district seven Ortego issued the following statement: “Any endeavor I have pursued has always been with the greatest effort and energy possible. My fiscal responsibility and integrity is without limits. Public officials are expending other peoples hard earned money and it is their job to get the most in services and products possible. Resources are not unlimited and as a juror I will make sure you get the most for your ‘buck.’
“Roads, drainage, litter, and economic growth are my top priorities. Improving and maintain parish roads; cleaning out clogged and overgrown gullies and canals both within and outside of municipalities; a total litter abatement program paired with law enforcement and fines; and a concrete, organized plan for industrial and tourism expansion are of upmost and immediate necessity for better jobs and a better life for you and your family.
“Give me the opportunity to make you proud of Evangeline Parish and proud of the people who represent you. Let’s make this a better place to work, play, worship and thrive. ‘You Won’t Be Disappointed.’ Call or message me anytime (337)459-5859, dvdortego7@gmail.com.”
July 16, 2026
