Iberia Parish President Ernest Freyou was not the top vote-getter, but did well enough in Saturday’s election to make a runoff for another shot at holding on to his job for another four years.

Errol “Romo” Romero, a former Iberia Parish sheriff and former state representative, was the top vote-getter in Saturday’s primary election, according to completed, but unofficial reports from the Iberia Parish Clerk of Courts Office.

Once all the votes were tallied Saturday night, New Iberia Mayor Pro Tem Freddie DeCourt had been eliminated from the Nov. 19 runoff by a slim margin. After taking 4,917 votes, or 28.13 percent of the vote, DeCourt said he made the decision to throw his support to Freyou, who impressed him during the campaign.

“I drove over and congratulated (Freyou) a few minutes ago,” DeCourt said Saturday night.

“Ernest ran a very clean and professional race. I didn’t know him before, but I’ve grown to respect him.”

Freyou beat DeCourt by only 1.81 percentage points, taking 29.94 percent of the vote, or 5,233 votes to Romo Romero’s 7,330, or 41.93 percent.

“I think my people have been really energized by this election,” said Freyou. “I’ve had a discussion with Freddie (DeCourt) and he said he’s going to support me 100 percent. I’ve got all the confidence in the world we’ll pull it off Nov. 19.”

Romero said he’s ready for round two, and despite not receiving DeCourt’s public endorsement, added he’s still able to outfight both opponents, regardless of whose name will join his on the Nov. 19 ballot.

“I find it odd (DeCourt) didn’t support me,” said Romero. “Before I announced I’d run, (DeCourt) told me he thought (Freyou) was so corrupt. But neither of them’s going to outwork me. My wife and I are going to keep knocking on doors and waving signs on corners.”

Overall, there were 17,480 registered voters in Iberia Parish who cast ballots for Saturday’s election, marking 49 percent of all registered voters.