FRANKLIN — Voters across St. Mary Parish headed to the polls Tuesday to settle a crowded ballot that will shape local governance and state policy for years to come.

Ballots across the parish featured key decisions at nearly every level of government, from competitive municipal races deciding mayors and city council members to neighborhood contests for school board seats and justices of the peace. Along with choosing local leadership, parish voters joined residents statewide in weighing in on a series of proposed constitutional amendments.

Polling precincts across Franklin, Morgan City, Patterson and surrounding communities closed at 8 p.m., with election workers beginning the tally of early voting and Election Day ballots Tuesday evening.

Read below for election day results for St. Mary Parish. For full results, check out WBRZ's Election Guide. 

Member of School Board District 5

PATTERSON — Republican candidate Calyn Swords Welch has been elected to the St. Mary Parish School Board representing District 5.

Welch defeated Democratic candidate Sandra Turner by 547 votes.

Welch is a lifelong resident of Patterson and the broker and owner of Simon Real Estate. During her career in local real estate, she has earned multiple recognitions as a top listing and selling agent. Her campaign emphasized fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency and local community engagement.

Member of School Board District 6

PATTERSON — Democratic candidate Jameson "Budd" Sennette has won election to the St. Mary Parish School Board representing District 6, earning a majority of the vote to secure the seat without a runoff.

Sennette received 818 votes (58.35%), finishing ahead of Republican Noel Pisani and independent candidate Jeffrey "Jeff" Hufstetler. Pisani garnered 251 votes (17.9%), while Hufstetler finished with 333 votes (23.75%).

Sennette, a third-generation Patterson resident, centered his platform on supporting teachers, ensuring safe and equitable schools for all students and expanding opportunities for children in St. Mary Parish.

Member of School Board District 8

BERWICK — Incumbent Chad Paradee has won reelection to the St. Mary Parish School Board representing District 8.
Paradee, a Republican, defeated Republican challenger Scott Babin by 352 votes.

Paradee is a Berwick resident who currently serves on the school board.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Paradee said, “our priority must always be providing the best possible educational opportunities for the children of St. Mary Parish. This requires teamwork, responsible decision-making, and a shared commitment to moving our school system forward.”

Justice of the Peace Ward 5

PATTERSON — Incumbent Michelle D. Schexnayder has won reelection as Justice of the Peace for Ward 5 in St. Mary Parish.

Schexnayder, a Democrat, defeated independent challenger Tempest Jackson by 232 votes.

A lifelong Patterson resident, Schexnayder has served as Ward 5 Justice of the Peace since first taking office in 2020. During her tenure, she has presided over small claims matters, local evictions and parish civil disputes. Schexnayder said her main goal is to continue serving the people of Ward 5 with fairness, integrity and respect while improving access to responsive, dependable justice.

Justice of the Peace Ward 7

FRANKLIN — Democratic candidate Nekesia Jovia Bowie has been reelected Justice of the Peace for Ward 7 in St. Mary Parish.

Bowie defeated fellow Democratic candidate Stanley Johnson Jr. by 18 votes.

Bowie is a resident of St. Mary Parish who campaigned on serving her community with fairness, integrity, respect and professionalism. She is a Business Education teacher with the St. Mary Parish School Board and an Adjunct Psychology Instructor at South Louisiana Community College.

Justice of the Peace Ward 8 will go to runoff

BERWICK — The race for Justice of the Peace for Ward 8 in St. Mary Parish is headed to a general election runoff after no candidate cleared the 50% threshold needed to win outright.

Republican Nicole Cherry Landry led the three-candidate field with 880 votes (36.27%), while Shawn Canty, who ran with no party, secured the second runoff spot with 803 votes (33.1%).

Candidate [third-place candidate name] finished in third place with [number] votes ([percentage]%) and was eliminated from contention.

The runoff will be held on Dec. 12 and will feature [First Candidate, Party] and [Second Candidate, Party].

Justice of the Peace Ward 10

BALDWIN — Democratic candidate Benny J. Druilhet has been elected Justice of the Peace for Ward 10 in St. Mary Parish.

Druilhet defeated fellow Democratic candidate Cardell Bowser Ina by 145 votes.

Druilhet is a St. Mary Parish resident who currently serves as pastor of Triune Church of God in Christ in Franklin and Associate Director of Community Outreach for UMCOR Sager Brown in Baldwin.

Druilhet said he ran for the seat because, “I believe our community deserves experienced, dependable, and respectful service from someone who understands both the responsibilities of the office and the needs of the people it serves. My goal is to provide fair, efficient, and accessible service to every resident who comes before the Ward Ten Justice Court.”

Constable Justice of the Peace Ward 8 

BERWICK — Republican candidate Jose M. Salvador Jr. has been elected Constable for Justice of the Peace Ward 8 in St. Mary Parish.

Salvador defeated fellow Republican candidate Andros Williams by 499 votes.

Salvador is a resident of Berwick and a law enforcement officer with the Berwick Police Department. His campaign focused on serving the people of his community with honesty, fairness and respect. He added that he wants to bring accessibility to the office.

Mayor City of Patterson 

PATTERSON — Republican challenger Slade Sanders has been elected mayor of the City of Patterson.

Sanders unseated long-serving Democratic incumbent Rodney Grogan by 226 votes, according to the Secretary of State's complete byt unofficial results.

Sanders, a Patterson native, campaigned on modernizing municipal infrastructure, upgrading public spaces and accelerating local economic development initiatives.

In a statement on why Sanders decided to run, he said, “Patterson is my home, and I’m running for Mayor because I care deeply about where our city is headed and what we leave behind for the next generation.”

Mayor Town of Baldwin 

BALDWIN — Incumbent Clarence A. Vappie has won reelection as mayor of the Town of Baldwin.

Vappie defeated challenger Ajani Connor by 21 votes.

Vappie, a Democrat who has served as Baldwin's mayor and on the executive board of the Louisiana Municipal Association, ran on his record of municipal administration and ongoing local infrastructure improvements.

Mayor Town of Berwick 

BERWICK — Republican candidate Ludness "Lud" Henry has been elected mayor of the Town of Berwick.

Henry defeated fellow Republican Jason Romero by 745 votes, according to the Secretary of State's complete but unofficial results.

Henry is a lifelong resident of Berwick, a town councilman of eight years and has served as Mayor Pro Tempore who ran on managing community growth and investing in town infrastructure to support emerging residential neighborhoods.

One of Henry’s goals in office is to reorganize town hall to make it more efficient for Berwick citizens and to focus on beautification improvements.

Council Members, City of Patterson (5 elected) 

PATTERSON — Voters in Patterson have decided a crowded 11-candidate field for city leadership, returning three incumbents to office and electing two newcomers to fill the five at-large seats on the Patterson City Council.

With all six precincts and absentee ballots fully reported, Democratic incumbents Ray "Mr. Ray" Dewey, Miranda Weinbach and Lee A. Condolle secured reelection alongside newly elected Republican Keith Grimball and Democrat Dawn Rentrop.

Leading the pack, incumbent Ray "Mr. Ray" Dewey secured the top spot with 1,043 votes (12.11%). Dewey, a Democrat who has served on the council representing Patterson residents, told WBRZ his main goal in office is to stabilize the city’s finances.

Incumbent Miranda Weinbach captured the second-highest tally, winning reelection with 896 votes (10.40%). Weinbach, a Democrat who first joined the council for the 2023–2027 term, sought another term “to give back to the community that raised me, in the way of listening, showing empathy, finding solutions and having ownership.”

Republican challenger Keith Grimball earned a seat on the council, taking third place with 884 votes (10.26%). A lifelong Patterson resident and former Commissioner for the Patterson Housing Authority, Grimball campaigned on bringing practical leadership and a renewed outlook to City Hall. His priorities include strengthening municipal infrastructure, spurring economic growth, and pushing for term limits for both the mayor and council members.

Incumbent Lee A. Condolle secured reelection to the council with 881 votes (10.23%). Condolle, a Democrat who serves as Mayor Pro Tem and pastor of One Faith Fellowship, said he ran again hoping to "bring about the greatest sense of unity our community has ever seen while continuing the forward progress we have worked so hard to achieve."

Rounding out the five winning seats, Democratic candidate Dawn Rentrop won election to the council with 809 votes (9.39%). Rentrop, who previously served as Chairman of the Patterson Lower Atchafalaya Historical and Cultural District Committee, will focus her efforts on addressing blighted property, repairing and replacing aging streetlights, and ensuring dependable municipal trash collection schedules. 

Councilmembers Town of Berwick (5 elected)

BERWICK — Voters in the Town of Berwick have chosen their next municipal leadership, reelecting three sitting council members and welcoming two newcomers to fill the five town council seats. With all four precincts and absentee ballots fully tabulated, Republican incumbents Kevin P. Hebert, Colleen Nicklas Askew, and Raymond Price secured reelection alongside newly elected Republicans Erica S. Brunson and Brandon "J.H." Monceaux.

Candidate Kevin P. Hebert led the field, securing the top spot with 1,084 votes (14.58%). Hebert, a Republican councilman, highlighted his ongoing efforts to upgrade municipal infrastructure, pointing to his work improving drainage, repaving local roadways and enhancing the town’s natural gas system.

Republican challenger Erica S. Brunson claimed the second-highest tally, winning a seat on the council with 986 votes (13.26%). Brunson centered her campaign on community revitalization, stating, “I believe if the pride of this town can be rekindled, the rest will begin to take care of itself.”

First-time candidate Brandon "J.H." Monceaux earned a place on the council, placing third with 955 votes (12.84%). Monceaux campaigned on expanding local small business opportunities, investing in youth programs and supporting neighborhood enhancements. His key council priorities include prioritizing infrastructure and utility upgrades, improving flood protection, and backing St. Mary Parish public schools.

Incumbent Colleen Nicklas Askew secured another term, finishing fourth with 927 votes (12.47%). Askew, who has served as a councilwoman for the past eight years, ran on her track record of civic leadership and continued advocacy for local businesses.

Incumbent Raymond Price captured the fifth and final seat, winning reelection with 874 votes (11.75%). Price, an eight-year council veteran, former Morgan City firefighter, and former Deputy Marshal of Ward 8, emphasized his dedication to advancing road and drainage improvements while attracting new economic development to Berwick. 

Parishwide Home Rule Charter Amendment - PC

FRANKLIN — St. Mary Parish voters have rejected a proposed overhaul of parish government, defeating a parishwide proposition to amend and restate the St. Mary Parish Home Rule Charter.

The proposed amendment failed, with 8,172 voters (57.8%) casting ballots against the measure compared to 5,966 (42.2%) voting in favor.

The defeat leaves St. Mary Parish's existing government structure intact, maintaining the current 11-member Parish Council composed of eight district members and three parishwide at-large members.

Had it passed, the amendment proposed by the Charter Commission would have reduced the council to eight single-member districts, instituted term limits for council members and the parish president, tied elected official compensation to regular cost-of-living reviews, and absorbed the duties of the chief administrative officer directly into the parish president’s executive role.

Water and Sewer Commission No. 3 – 9.08 Mills Continuation - BOC - 10 years

FRANKLIN — Voters in St. Mary Parish have rejected a proposed 10-year property tax continuation for the district’s water and wastewater systems.

The proposition was defeated, with 808 voters (50.25%) casting ballots against the measure compared to 800 (49.75%) in favor.

With the measure's failure, the commission's authority to levy the dedicated property tax will expire following the 2026 tax year, when the current 8.60-mill authorization ends. The proposition had sought an estimated $1,290,800 per year from 2027 through 2036 to support ongoing operations, routine maintenance, and capital improvements across the commission’s water and sewer infrastructure.

Water and Sewer Commission No. 4 - 15.35 Mills Continuation - BOC - 10 years

FRANKLIN — Voters in St. Mary Parish have rejected a 10-year property tax continuation that would have funded water and wastewater operations, maintenance, and capital upgrades.

The 15.35-mill proposition failed with 784 votes (50.78%) against to 760 votes (49.22%) in favor.

The defeated measure would have allowed Water and Sewer Commission No. 4 to continue levying a 15.35-mill property tax over a 10-year period from 2027 through 2036. The tax was projected to generate approximately $607,000 annually to support operating, maintaining, upgrading, and extending the district's water treatment plant, distribution lines, and sewerage collection and treatment facilities.

The proposed 15.35-mill levy represented a 0.68-mill adjustment over the 14.67 mills authorized by voters in 2017 due to property reappraisal.

For full results, check out WBRZ's Election Guide.