Duke wins judge race, Route named Franklinton mayor

Published 10:56 pm Tuesday, November 3, 2020

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Washington Parish voters had their voices heard Tuesday night, as they went to the polls to participate in a large number of national, state and local races.

According to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, challenger David Merlin Duke defeated incumbent Robert J. Black in the race for Bogalusa City Judge. Duke finished with 3,156 votes (53 percent) to Black’s 2,837 votes (47 percent).

In the race for Franklinton mayor, Greg Route won with 779 votes (52 percent) to John L. Daniel’s 727 votes (48 percent).

In two races that included both voters from St. Tammany and Washington parishes, incumbent district attorney Warren Montgomery fended off a challenge from Vincent Wynne, and Ellen Creel defeated Richard Ducote for District Judge in Division J.

Montgomery won the race with 91,911 votes in the district (65 percent), to Wynne’s 52,652 votes (36 percent). Creel received 87,263 votes (63 percent), while Ducote earned 52,144 votes (37 percent).

Among just Washington Parish voters, Montgomery won with 59 percent and Creel won with 79 percent.

In the race for Franklinton Board of Aldermen, the top five finishers elected were Patrice Crain (775 votes), T.J. Butler Jr. (731 votes), Darwin Sharp (696 votes), Seth Descant (623 votes) and Heath Spears (612 votes).

In the race for Angie Board of Aldermen, the top three finishers elected were Darryl Knight (89 votes), Kort Pittman (78 votes) and Olivia B. Hartzog (73 votes).

Among statewide constitutional amendments, Amendments No. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 all passed, and Amendments No. 4 and 5 both failed.

Other races of interest in Washington Parish included:

  • U.S. President (parish voters only) — Donald Trump, 13,307 votes (68%); Joe Biden 5,970 votes (31%).
  • U.S. Senator (parish voters only, potential runoff) — Bill Cassidy, 12,747 votes (68%); Adrian Perkins, 2,386 votes (13%); Derrick “Champ” Edwards, 1,896 votes (10%). No other candidate had more than 2%.
  • U.S. Representative, 5th Congressional District (parish voters only, potential runoff) — Luke J. Letlow, 5,130 votes (29%); Sandra “Candy” Christophe, 3,406 votes (19%); Allen Guillory Sr., 3,278 votes (19%). No other candidate had more than 10%.
  • Louisiana Public Service Commission (parish voters only) — Erik Skrmetta, 5,152 votes (30%); Allen Borne Jr., 4,652 votes (27%); Big John Mason, 2,596 votes (15%); Kevin Pearson, 2,167 votes (12%); Richard Sanderson II, 1,786 votes (10%). No other candidate had more than 4%.
  • Constable, Justice of the Peace, Ward 1 — Lynnette Sharp, 742 votes (51%); Jerry Fruge Jr., 700 votes (49%).
  • Constable, Justice of the Peace, Ward 6 — Donald Mizell, 1,253 votes (77%); Mark Richard, 369 votes (23%).
  • Sports wagering in Washington Parish — Yes, 59%.
  • Fire Protection District No. 6 10 Mills Renewal — Yes, 75%.
  • Fire Protection District No. 8 $750,000 Bond — Yes, 70%.