Local businessman and sugar cane farmer Robert Allain is the new state senator for District 21, which includes parts of Iberia Parish, following Saturday night’s runoff election.

Allain, who will be replacing his father State Sen. Brett Allain, defeated opponent Henry “Bo” LaGrange after the two candidates made it to Saturday night’s runoff election. By the end of the night, Allain finished 59% of the vote, while LaGrange finished with 41%.

That meant a total of 9,811 residents voted for Allain and 6,826 voted for LaGrange. District 21 has territory in Iberia, St. Mary, St. Martin, Assumption, Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes. The results for Iberia Parish voters saw 61% go to Allain and 39% go to LaGrange.

Allain is a sugar cane farmer by trade, and also the owner of a marine company. He told The Daily Iberian earlier this month that he decided to run to create better opportunities in Louisiana for his family and community.

“Like many families, I watched both of my sisters get educated here and leave the state for better opportunities,” Allain said. “I will never fault someone for wanting to better their opportunities, but I do believe those opportunities belong here in Louisiana, especially with all the resources we have here.”