Two Key Local Runoffs on Ballot

Two races, which the Oct. 12 primary left unresolved, will appear on the ballot in Central in the election planned for Saturday, Nov. 16. 

The first will fill a seat from District 6 on the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) currently held by Kathy Edmonson (R) of Ascension Parish.

The other race is for 19th Judicial District Judge, Division L, from a subdistrict that include Baker, Central, Zachary, Pride and parts of Sherwood Forest. It pits Democrat Ron Johnson against Republican Trae Welch. Johnson is a practicing attorney, former East Baton Rouge Parish School Board member, and the twin brother of District Judge Don Johnson. Welch has represented Central for 12 years on the Metro Council. He is Zachary City Prosecutor, former Baker City Councilman, and the son of Court of Appeal Judge Duke Welch.

Central is a key battleground for both races.

BESE District 6 includes 1/8th of the state and includes South Baton Rouge, the new City of St. George, Central, Zachary, Ascension Parish, Livingston Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, and Washington Parish.

The runoff candidates are Ronnie Morris and Greg Spiers. Greg Spiers is a former Navy SEAL and public school teacher at Ponchatoula High School who is now in the technology business. Spiers has been endorsed by the Republican Party in East Baton Rouge Parish, Ascension Party, and Livingston Parishes.  He is also endorsed by teachers organizations. He is a strong opponent of Common Core and most charter schools.

Morris, a supervisor at Exxon, has been endorsed by LABI and the Republican Party of Tangipahoa Parish and is a supporter of charter schools.

BESE makes some aspects of education policy in the state. Seven of the eight elected members of both the current and the new BESE were supported by the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, which also supports Supt. John White,  Common Core, and charter schools.

The only current member of BESE who was not supported by LABI is Kathy Edmonson (R-Ascension). She is a more traditional conservative Republican who opposes Common Core. She decided not to run for reelection but for the Louisiana House from Ascension Parish. 

Morris or Spiers will take her seat. Morris is expected to align with the other LABI candidates on the board, whereas Spiers would likely be a traditional conservative Republican who opposes Common Core and many of White’s education “reforms.”

In the Oct. 12 election, voters in the northern subdistrict voted on two District judgeships. Divison A  pitted Democrat Baton Rouge City Judge Tarvald Smith against Republican attorney Beau Brock. Smith won that election 52-48.  Division L included Democrats Will Jorden and Ron Johnson and Republican Trae Welch. John and Welch advanced to the runoff.