Five qualify for mayor’s race

The St. Martinville's mayor's race has drawn five candidates and a total of 15 hopefuls for the five city council seats.

Qualifying for the March 26 municipal primary election ended last Friday.

One of the five council seats is uncontested, however, as veteran councilman Mike Fuselier, who represents District 1 and was first elected in 1993, is unopposed  to serve a seventh  term.

First term Mayor Melinda Narcisse "Mel" Mitchell is seeking re-election but faces four opponents in the race.

Also qualifying for the top spot in city government are Lisa Nelson, Mark Pratt, Jason Willis and Patrick Wiltz.

Mitchell, Nelson, Willis and Wiltz are all registered Democrats while Pratt is listed as an Independent candidate.

Three "retiring"    

Incumbent councilmen Craig Prosper of District 2, Dennis Paul Williams of District 3 and Edmond Joseph of District 5 are not seeking re-election.

In District 4, incumbent Juma Johnson has qualified for a second term but faces opposition from Janise Anthony, James "Lil Jimmy" Charles and Monica Charles.

All four candidates are Democrats.

In District 2, four people have qualified to succeed Prosper.

The field includes Carol Frederick (no party), Lance Laviolette (Independent), Marty Theriot (Republican) and Juanita Jacquet (Democrat).

Qualifying for the District 5 seat being vacated by Joseph are James Bertrand (Independent) and Democrats Florita "Flo" Chatman, Joseph E. Mason and Leander "Cush" Williams.

As a result of the 2020 Census, Districts 1 and 2 remain majority white while Districts 3, 4 and 5 are majority Black.

The District 2 candidates are all white except for Jacquet, who is Black.

The District 3 and 4 candidates are all Black; but James Bertrand (white) faces three Black opponents in the District 5 race.

St. Martinville residents will be able to cast early votes from Saturday, March 12 through Saturday, March 19.