Dupre, Chaisson, Dove return unopposed

There will be no shortage of candidates in the Tri-Parishes’ state legislative races. All seats in the state Legislature are up for consideration; over half the seats are being vacated by legislators barred from seeking another term because of term limit laws.

Senate District 20 will see veteran lawmaker Sen. Reggie Dupre (D-Bourg) returning unopposed for another term in office.

Dupre represents portions of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

In State Senate District 19, incumbent Sen. Joel Chaisson II, was also unopposed for another four-year term. However, State Sen. Butch Gautreuaux, a Democrat from Morgan City, will face a challenger as he seeks another term representing portions of St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes. Clayton Diaz, a Republican from Patterson, is also vying for the seat.

In area races for seats in the Louisiana House of Representatives, State Rep. Gordon Dove was unopposed for a second term in the House. Dove is a Republican from Houma.

His counterpart in the House, State Rep. Damon Baldone, a Democrat, will face competition for the House District 53. Wallace Ellender, a Republican from Bourg, also qualified to run.

With State Representative Loulan Pitre, Jr. not seeking a third term in office, three candidates have signed up to represent House District 54. The area covers all of the 10th Ward of Lafourche Parish as well as a significant portion of the central area of Lafourche.

Seeking the office are Jerry “Truck” Gisclair, a Democrat from Larose; John “T-John” Melancon, Jr., a Democrat from Cut Off; and former representative Mitch Theriot, a Republican from Raceland.

Barred by term limits from seeking another term, three candidates have signed up for the House seat occupied for many years by State Rep. Warren Triche of Thibodaux. Seeking the House District 55 seat, with its base in the Thibodaux area, are Jay Caillouet, a Democrat from Thibodaux; Al Carter, a Republican from Thibodaux; Lafourche Parish Councilman Michael “Mike” Matherne, a Democrat from Thibodaux; and Thibodaux City Council member Jerome “Dee” Richard, from Thibodaux.

Election day is Saturday, Oct. 20. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Any runoff elections will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17.