Thirty-eight days before qualifying begins for the new Louisiana House of Representatives District 96 seat, some locals say the new district will bring much-needed local minority representation to Baton Rouge, whether residents know it or not.

Spawned from the legislative redistricting session earlier this year, the majority minority district trickles down through Acadiana beginning with Lafayette Parish and then reaches into St. Martin Parish, covering parts of Breaux Bridge and a large portion of St. Martinville. It narrows into Iberia Parish and then expands to cover nearly all of Spanish Lake, Acadiana Regional Airport and New Iberia’s West End.

So far six hopefuls who have announced they are vying for the House seat include Breaux Bridge business owner Vincent Alexander, Terry Landry, a former Louisiana State Police superintendent and New Iberia native, former St. Martinville Assistant Police Chief Nary Smith Jr. and current St. Martin School Board member Richard Potier.

Former New Iberia City Council member and current Iberia Parish School Board member Raymond “Shoe Do” Lewis has been campaigning for the seat, but said he most likely will not formally announce his candidacy until an Aug. 17 Iberia Parish School Board meeting.

Former St. Martinville Mayor Eric Martin is expected to announce he will run for the seat on Monday night during the St. Martinville City Council meeting.

Qualifying runs from Aug. 6 through the 8 and election day for the House seat is Oct. 22.

District 96 originally remained inside the New Orleans city limits but lost more than 40 percent of its population after Hurricane Katrina.

This year the new district emerged to cover portions of the three Acadiana parishes.

Gilbert “Doc” Thomas owns an Allstate Insurance agency on Bank Street, which is inside the new minority majority district. Thomas said he believes it is still too early to know what the new district will offer locally, but said the new representation is “definitely going to be important” to those who live in the area.

Peggy Gerac lives within the new majority minority district. The city of New Iberia councilwoman said the new House seat has been needed for some time and could provide minority communities a direct line to Baton Rouge.

“We certainty need a representative,” Gerac said. “A lot of people don’t know what’s going on up there, and this is a chance to have someone who could be a voice, someone who will address the local needs of these communities and push for things like better housing and economic development.”

But according to Clara Carrier, a long-time Iberia Parish School Board member who also lives in District 96, there has been very little talk about newly created district from those who live inside its lines.

“There are many, I think, who are not aware of this election,” Carrier said. “I’d guess that maybe five out of 10 people know anything about it.”

She said word about the new seat may spread as campaign signs continue cropping up in neighborhoods and along roadways.

“It may spark up in conversation here and there. But I do think that people need to pay attention a little more,” she said.

Though he has not yet formally announced that he is running for the House seat, Lewis’ name appears on campaign signs all over the Teche Area.

Lewis said the district offers substantial representation for New Iberia residents and will add more diversity to Baton Rouge.

“Due to the unfortunate situation of Katrina, House seats were lost. But we are pleased that due to the census count this district could be created,” he said. “And we are blessed that a good portion of it comes into New Iberia itself.”

 

Precincts (Info Box)

St. Martin Parish: Ward 1 Precincts: 1, 3, 7. Ward 2 Precincts: 1, 3, 4. Ward 3 Precincts: 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4A, 6, 9. Ward 4 Precincts: 3, 4A, 6. Ward 6 Precincts: 2A, 3. Ward 7 Precincts: 1, 3

Iberia Parish: Ward 1 Precincts: 1, 2, 3. Ward 2 Precincts: 1, 2. Ward 3 Precincts: 4. Ward 4 Precincts: 1, 2, 3, 4. Ward 5 Precincts: 1, 2, 3. Ward 6 Precincts: 2

Lafayette Parish: Lafayette Precincts: 54, 55, 56. Broussard Precincts: 99, 100.