Terry Landry, a New Iberia native who lives in Lafayette, has added his name to the list of candidates who will vie to represent House District 96.

Landry, 59, said the new minority district that includes portions of Iberia, St. Martin and Lafayette parishes is “tailormade” for him.

“I live in Lafayette but am originally from New Iberia,” Landry said. “I attended Jonas Henderson High School and graduated from New Iberia Senior High School. My relatives are from St. Martin Parish.”

Touting a long resume that includes a stint in the U.S. Army, as well as service as a city of New Iberia police officer and superintendent of the Louisiana State Police from 2000 until his retirement in 2004, Landry said he is not seeking the representative seat because he needs another job.

“I am seeking this position because I see this as an opportunity to serve and become the first black person to serve as a state representative in the parishes of Iberia and St. Martin,” Landry said. “This is a historic opportunity.”

Landry, a Democrat, said he would be the voice of the people of the minority district new to the area.

“I am running to ensure that, as a state, we invest in our children and honor the work of our seniors who provided us the opportunities we have today,” Landry said.

Landry joins Breaux Bridge business owner Vincent Alexander, former St. Martinville Mayor Eric Martin, former St. Martinville Police Chief Naray Smith Sr. and Iberia School Board member Raymond “Shoe Do” Lewis, who has not yet made an official announcement.

House District 96, a minority district that shifted to Acadiana from the New Orleans area during redistricting this year, includes the communities of Breaux Bridge, Cypress Island, Parks, St. Martinville, portions of New Iberia and parts of Broussard.

Qualifying for the race begins Sept. 6-8 with the primary election scheduled for Oct. 22.