Qualifying Is Over in Vermilion Parish

Qualifying officially closed at 4:30 p.m. on Friday for elections that will take place this spring in Vermilion Parish.
The qualifying period created a handful of races that will appear on the April 5 ballot. Among the races around the parish, some will be in Abbeville, Erath and Kaplan.
Abbeville Councilman Louis Joe Hardy is running for re-election in District A against challenger Creig Walker. Abbeville’s District D will see Kamesha Scott and Marilyn Mitchell both vie for the seat against current Councilman Wayne Landry.
Erath residents will vote for a new mayor and alderman. Going head-to-head in the mayoral race are John Earl LeBlanc and Tony Richard, who are both aldermen's. Facing off for the alderman seat will be Chris P. Hebert and Alvin Benoit.
Kaplan voters will also see two names for mayor when they go to the polls. Incumbent Mayor Kirk Champagne is seeking another term against Gerard “Jerry” Touchet. Those same voters will also choose between Dirk Gary and Ronald J. Schexnaider for Councilman-at-Large.
There are some who will not have to wait through a campaign, as they will go into office unopposed.
For the second straight term, Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza goes in without opposition. This will be Piazza’s fourth term overall as mayor. He also served three terms as Councilman in District A.
“There is no greater honor than to be elected by the citizens in the community in which I was raised,” Piazza said. “I am so very proud to have served as your mayor for the past 12 years and look forward to working with the Chief of Police, the Council and serving my constituents for the next four years.
“I sincerely thank my family and friends, as well as the citizens of Abbeville, for allowing me to serve as mayor. I am truly humbled that you have put your trust and confidence in me as mayor of Abbeville.”
Returning to their respective seats on the Abbeville City Council will be Councilman-at-Large Francis Plaisance, Councilman Brady Broussard Jr., District C, and Councilman Francis Touchet Jr., District B.
Also returning to office without a challenger is Abbeville Police Chief Tony Hardy. Like Piazza, Hardy said he is grateful for the opportunity.
“I feel honored and privileged to be Abbeville’s Chief for four more years.,” Hardy said. “There have been some trying times and some great times during these past four years, but I will continue to give my best efforts at upgrading the Abbeville Police Department and serving the people of Abbeville.
“I will do my best to serve the citizens of Abbeville in any way possible.”
Challengers also proved lacking in Kaplan, where Boyd Adams will return as Police Chief after being the only one to qualify for the title. This summer, the four who qualified unopposed will be sworn into seats on the Kaplan City Council. That includes Eva Dell Morrison, District A, John W. Carbaugh, District B, Richard D. LeBlanc, District C, and Kevin G. Guidry, District D.

Qualifying list

Mayor of Abbeville
Mark Piazza

Abbeville Police Chief
Tony J. Hardy

Abbeville Council

Councilman at large
Francis J. Plaisance

District A
Louis Joe Hardy
Creig Walker

District B
Francis Touchet, Jr.

District C
Brady Broussard, Jr.

District D
Wayne Landry
Kamesha Scott
Marilyn Mitchell

Mayor of Kaplan
Kirk Champagne
Gerard “Jerry” Touchet

Kaplan Council

Councilman at large
Dirk Gary
Ronald J. Schexnaider

District A
Eva Dell Morrison

District B
John W. Carbaugh

District C
Richard D. LeBlanc

District D
Kevin G. Guidry

Kaplan Police Chief
Boyd Adams

Mayor of Erath
John Earl LeBlanc
“Tony” Richard

Erath Alderman
Chris P. Hebert
Alvin Benoit