As the countdown to Saturday’s runoff for Iberia Parish President dwindles, the two remaining candidates have been making the rounds, shaking hands, waving signs and talking to potential voters in an effort to turn the tide against their opponent.

At Thursday night’s Kiwanis Club of New Iberia Pancake Supper, held at the Cyr-Gates Community Center in City Park, challenger Errol “Romo” Romero and incumbent Ernest Freyou took advantage of a packed house to enjoy the pancakes and sausage and make themselves seen before Election Day.

Between handshakes and small talk, Freyou said he’s been working nonstop in his capacity as parish president while also campaigning for Saturday’s runoff against Romero.

Freyou, who trailed Romero by 2,097 votes during the Oct. 22 general election, said he is confident that previous challenger Freddie DeCourt’s public support for his campaign will bode well going into Saturday’s election.

During the general election, Freyou garnered 29.94 percent of the vote to Romero’s 41.93 percent and DeCourt’s 28.13 percent, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.

“We’ve been talking to a lot of people out there, and our main focus right now is getting people out to vote Saturday,” Freyou said Thursday night while at the Kiwanis Club’s Pancake Supper.

For Romero, the pre-election buildup has been all about working the street corners and neighborhoods of Iberia Parish in his attempt to unseat Freyou.

Romero said he hits the campaign trail every morning before the sun rises.

“At about 5:30 (a.m.), I go get a corner somewhere and from there I move around all day,” Romero said this morning. “I’ve been getting a good response.”

Like Freyou, Romero said he enjoyed Thursday’s Pancake Supper, but said his attendance was less of a campaign strategy and more of a yearly tradition.

“I go every year,” said Romero.

Looking to Saturday, Romero said he is confident as long as the voters go out and cast their ballots.

“If they don’t get out, then I’m a little concerned,” he added.

Saturday’s election also will decide a runoff for the Iberia Parish Council District 13 seat, which encompasses the Delcambre area. That runoff is between Marty Trahan and David Larson II. A newcomer to the Parish Council was ensured this year as incumbent Councilman Larry Richard decided not to seek re-election.

Also included on Saturday’s ballot will be Constitutional Amendment No. 1, which if approved, will prohibit the state Legislature and local governments from ever levying a real estate transfer tax.

The polls are scheduled to open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.