Parish electorates cast votes in several other local and statewide elections

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Voters in Evangeline Parish turned out Tuesday to vote for parish and state elections that were on the ballot with several municipal elections.
Of these items on the ballot were four seats on the Evangeline Parish School Board. All four incumbents received enough votes necessary to secure another term in office.
In District 3, Karen Vidrine, who was appointed to fill the vacant seat of her husband, received 62.47 percent of the vote. “I just want to thank everybody who supported me and everybody who came out and voted,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with the board.”
Voters in District 10 reelected Arthur Savoy with 57.93 percent of the vote over challenger Maggie Ortego.
“I will continue to work hard for the people of District 10,” expressed Savoy. “I will also continue to work hard for the people, the students, and the teachers.”
In her concession statement, Ortego said, “I want to thank everyone who went out to vote today. Whether they voted for me or against me makes no difference. I want to congratulate Mr. Savoy, and I will be watching closely what’s going on at the school board. I have personal interests in the school system as my grandchildren are attending public schools.”
She continued, “This has been a tremendous journey. I’ve met some great people that I didn’t know before. I’ve made new friends, and I’ve gotten to reconnect with old friends.”
By a slim margin with 51.36 percent of the vote, Ellis Guillory was reelected in District 12 over Calvin Leday Jr. “I want to thank all the voters for coming out today,” he said. “I thank them for their support.”
Also by a slim margin with 51.67 percent of the vote, Georgianna Wilson was reelected over Chris Guillory in District 13. “I want to thank all the people who came out and helped me,” she said. “I also want to thank the strangers who came out and said they were going to work with me. It was so great to hear that.”
Besides school board, parish voters went to the polls to cast votes for Secretary of State and U.S. Representative for the 4th Congressional District.
In Evangeline Parish, Kyle Ardoin led all nine candidates with 30.24 percent of the vote. Other candidates with Evangeline Parish connections Heather Cloud and Renee Fontenot Free came in with 28.72 percent and 11.53 percent of the vote respectively.
Statewide, Ardoin will run against Gwen Collins-Greenup in the December 8 runoff election after both candidates received 20 percent of the vote each.
Incumbent Congressman Mike Johnson garnered 71.76 percent of the vote in Evangeline Parish and 64 percent overall in the district. Even with his win, the Republican Party lost control of the U.S. House by 220 seats to 196. The Grand Old Party; however, regained control of the Senate.
Five of the six proposed state constitutional amendments were adopted by voters in Evangeline Parish; while all six passed statewide.
Amendment 1 to prohibit a felon from holding public office passed by 74.59 of the vote in the parish and 75 percent statewide.
Amendment 2 for unanimous juries in noncapital felony offenses passed in the parish with 55.9 percent of the vote and 64 percent statewide.
Amendment 3 to permit donations from political subdivisions was adopted with 52.5 percent of the vote in the parish and 56 percent statewide.
Amendment 4 regarding the creation of a transportation trust fund barely squeaked by in the parish with 51 percent of the vote compared to 56 percent throughout the state.
Amendment 5 to extend eligibility for tax exemptions passed in the parish with 65.87 percent in the parish and 72 percent in the state.
The only amendment where the outcomes were different was Amendment 6 regarding the reappraisal of residential property. That amendment failed with 51.36 percent of the vote against in the parish but passed statewide with 58 percent.