Iberia Parish Council elections will heat up this fall.

Qualifying for candidates will be held Sept. 6-8. Election dates this fall are scheduled for Oct. 22 with a runoff if necessary Nov. 19.

Many long-serving council members said they will seek another term and hope to add years to their already double-digit stints in parish government. It remains to be seen if many of them will draw opposition.

Two long-time IPC members are bowing out, paving the way for someone new to representative their respective districts. Following is a roundup on the plans of each council member:

District 1

Councilwoman Maggie Daniels said she is running for re-election this fall. She is in her third term on the council, which represents 12 years of service. Daniels beat out the incumbent eight years ago when she first ran for the seat, had no opposition for a second and drew an opponent to win a third term.

There have been no announced candidates that plan to run against Daniels – yet.

“I would hope that I have done a good enough job that they feel like they want to keep me,” Daniels said.

“I love what I do even though it is sometimes difficult. In life you have obstacles, but through perseverance you accomplish the things that you need to.”

District 2

Councilman Curtis “Joe” Boudoin is the council’s longest-timer with 32 years representing District 2 under his belt. Boudoin intends to run this fall, he said, and if elected will add a ninth term to his career with parish government. He has faced opposition in half of the eight races he has run for the seat, he said. No opponents have yet announced they will challenge Boudoin this time around.

“It’s not for the money,” Boudoin said with a chuckle. “I like being involved with people. If I can help people, I try my best.”

District 3

Councilman Tommy Landry is in his first term on the Parish Council and plans to seek a second. Landry faced opposition when he ran for the seat in 2007 and expects “them to find someone to run” against him.

No official announcements have been made for a challenger in District 3.

“The parish has made a lot of progress over the last four years and I’d like to continue working toward some of those goals we’ve set,” Landry said of why he chose to run again.

District 4

Councilman Lloyd Brown has served two terms on the council totaling eight years. He ran against, and beat out, the incumbent eight years ago, he said, and drew no opposition in his second election.

He said he has thought about not running again for his seat but was convinced to run again by many people asking him to.

“I’m not really a politician,” Brown said. “But, I have people from all over the parish calling me and they tell me I listen to their problems and hear them when they talk. I enjoy trying to do what is right.”

District 5

Councilman Troy Comeaux is serving his first term on the Parish Council in a seat representing District 5, which his father, Caesar Comeaux, held for 30 years before him, Comeaux said.

Comeaux faced opposition during his first race, he said, and is unsure if any opponents plan to take on the race this fall.

“I enjoy trying to figure out how we can work together to make things happen and it’s very rewarding when we are able to help people with their issues,” Comeaux said about his intention to seek re-election.

District 6

Councilman Bernard Broussard is in his fifth term representing District 6 for a total of 20 years in parish government. He faced opposition in his first, third and fifth run, he said, and ran unopposed in the other elections.

“There are some things that we’ve been working on this term that I’d like to bring to fruition,” Broussard said about running again. “I’d hope to continue working on several of those big projects if I’m blessed enough to return to office for another term.”

District 7

Councilman John Berard is serving in his first term on the Parish Council after an 18-year stint on the Iberia Parish School Board. Berard, who plans to run again, faced opposition four years ago and will do so again this fall since New Iberia resident David Ditch has officially announced his candidacy.

“I spend a lot of my personal energies and finances helping people in the district with problems some are too embarrassed to ask for help for,” Berard said.

“I look forward to continuing to help people.”

District 8

Councilman Barry Verret announced last week that he would not seek re-election this fall. Verret has been a councilman for 20 years, having served two terms with a four-year break before another three terms.

He said his employment in New Orleans sometimes makes it difficult for him to attend all Parish Council meetings, which he said is not fair to the constituents of District 8.

“I always believed in term limits,” Verret said. “I’ve spent 20 years on the council. It’s time. I want to make sure the people are well taken care of so I’ll step aside and give someone else a chance.”

Two candidates have election signs in District 8 including Rickey Gonsoulin and the Rev. Darren Sophus.

District 9

Councilman Glenn Romero has served six terms on the Parish Council representing rural parts of the parish and the Loureauville area. Initially, Romero said he would not seek another term but has since decided he will campaign for another four years.

“I’ve got some stuff I’m not finished with yet,” Romero said. “I like to help people. That’s my joy when I can help someone in a bind.”

No other candidates have officially announced yet that he or she would run this fall against Romero.

District 10

Council Chairman Roger Duncan is in his third consecutive term on the Parish Council. Earlier this year Duncan announced he would seek the office of parish president instead of another four years in his council seat. Duncan changed his mind and said he does intend to run to represent District 10 for another four years.

Duncan, so far, has one announced opponent, Iberia Parish resident Jeff Jolet.

“I like serving the people, helping people out and getting things done in my district and that’s what it’s all about,” Duncan said. “I’d do it for free.”

District 11

Councilman Jerome Fitch is completing his 16th year serving on the Parish Council, he said, and hopes to add another four years to his total.

Fitch said if elected to a fifth term this fall, it will probably be his last on the council.

“I’ve really had enough, but I was asked by some people who have a lot of faith in me to continue on,” Fitch said. “There are a number of projects I’d like to see completed before I go for good.”

Fitch has not drawn any official opposition yet from the rural parts of Iberia Parish near and including Jeanerette that he represents.

District 12

Newly appointed Councilwoman Aquicline Rener-Arnold was chosen last month to serve the remainder of the unexpired term of former Councilman Charles Williams. She has said it is her intention to run for the seat this fall. No other candidates in that race have surfaced yet.

“I understand the role of parish government,” Arnold said. “I realize the frustration of not being able to satisfy every individual, but I recognize that idea and concerns from the community and fellow council members should be welcomed, vetted and seriously considered.”

District 13

Councilman Larry Richard, who plans to run again, is in his third term representing District 13 and has faced opposition in every election, he said. There have been no official announcements from candidates who might challenge Richard this fall.

“There is a lot that needs to be done that I’ve been working on since (Hurricane) Rita that’s just not complete,” Richard said. “I have a lot of people in my district that need me to see things through. Things that are critical to the future of Iberia Parish.”

District 14

Long-serving Councilman Naray Hulin, who has logged 16 years representing District 14, will not seek re-election this fall, he said.

“It’s a position that everyone needs to try at least once to get a feel for what we go through on a daily basis,” Hulin said. “It’s not an easy position to hold as many people think it is, especially if you try to do the right thing for the entire parish and not just a few people.”

Candidate David Wayne Romero, a Coteau resident, has posted signs in the area announcing his intentions to seek the office.