Former St. Martinville Mayor Eric Martin officially added his name this week to the growing list of candidates that will appear on the ballot this fall to represent state Rep. District 96 in the Legislature.

The minority district is new to the area and includes portions of St. Martin, Iberia and Lafayettte parishes. It migrated here from the New Orleans area after Census numbers forced legislators to shift seats out of an area which once had the largest population in the state.

Martin, 47, is a life-long St. Martin Parish resident, he said, and believes he is well-suited for the office.

“I feel I can represent the district better than anyone else who’s running,” Martin said. “There is so much potential in these three parishes and Baton Rouge has multiple issues. I’ve always had a knack for problem solving and peace making. I think I can bring the very diverse district together.”

Martin, who served as St. Martinville mayor for more than 14 years, did not run for re-election in 2006. He said he was curious after so many years of public service, what the private sector could offer him and his family.

Martin, a registered independent, has had many successes in the private sector, he said, and when District 96 “popped up out of nowhere” during reapportionment, he thought it represented the opportunity to continue what he considers his true calling – public service.

Martin joins several other announced candidates including Breaux Bridge business owner Vincent Alexander and former St. Martinville Assistant Police Chief Naray Smith Sr. Iberia Parish School Board member Raymond “Shoe Do” Lewis has signs for the election in town but has not made an official announcement.