Bodi White, Mike Mannino to Seek Senate Seat

CENTRAL — Candidates for state and parish offices are in the midst of a three-day qualifying period, which ends at 5 p.m. Thursday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, several important races have emerged that will be on the Oct. 22 election ballot in Central.

Probably the most interesting are for the state legislature:

• State Rep. Bodi White and Central resident Mike Mannino qualified to run for the new State Senate District 6.

• State Sen. Dale Erdey drew opposition from Derek Babcock of Livingston Parish in State Senate District 13.

• In House District 64, which Bodi White is vacating, the contest is between Barry Elkins and Valarie Hodges.  Elkins resides in Greenwell Springs.  Hodges, a native of Central, resides in Watson.

• As of Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Clif Richardson of House District 65 was unopposed.  Richardson is hoping no opposition will emerge and has planned a Re-election Party from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at Kristenwood.

So far, East Baton Rouge Parish officials have little opposition:

• Assessor Brian Wilson of Central has no opposition.

• Clerk of Court Doug Welborn of Central has no opposition.

• Sheriff Sid Gautreaux of Baker has one opponent, Mark Milligan, of Baton Rouge.

• Dr. Shannon Cooper, the parish coroner, has opposition from Dr. Beau Clark.

Virtually all of the candidates who will be on the ballot in Central are Republicans.

Among the candidates for the state legislature and parish offices, only Mark Milligan, who is running against Gautreaux, is a Democrat.

The same is true at the state level.  All statewide officials on the ballot are Republicans, and so are their major challengers:

• Gov. Bobby Jindal has five unknown opponents.

• Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne is being challenged by Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser, also a Republican.

• Secretary of State Tom Schedler,  who was appointed to his position by Dardenne when Dardenne was elected Lt. Governor in a special election, is opposed by House Speaker Jim Tucker, a Republican.

• Other statewide officials — Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, State Treasurer John Kennedy, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon — are unopposed so far.

The only parishwide official in East Baton Rouge Parish who is not a Republican is Mayor-President Kip Holden, a Democrat who comes up for reelection in 2012.

Incumbent BESE board member Chaz Roemer, a Republican, is being challenged by Beth Meyers, a Republican, and Donald Songy, a Democrat