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By Carie Cleland

Special to The Daily News

Washington Parish, along with the state of Louisiana and the nation, voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 Presidential Election. Trump received 70% of the vote in Washington Parish, while also garnering 60% of the votes statewide in Louisiana. In local election news, Julia Lutlow won the U.S. Representative- 5th Congressional District vote with 66% percent of the votes. In Franklinton, Darwin Sharp narrowly won the vote for Mayor of Franklinton by 11 votes. Sharp received 741 votes and incumbent Mayor Greg Route received 730 votes. Darryl Knight received 72% of the vote to win the Mayor of Angie race over Denise Robinson. In Varnado, three alderman were elected-Chris Jones, Kimberly Suzi Kennedy and Dustin Sumrall. Five Franklinton alderman will soon be elected to serve along with the new mayor. In accordance to state law, the election for Franklinton alderman was pushed back to December 7, 2024 due to the death of candidate Frank Crosby. In the event of a run-off between the ten candidates for alderman, that vote will be held on January 7, 2025. The race for Bogalusa Councilman District B between Wilton R. Dunaway and Marilyn D. Lott is headed to a runoff to be held on December 7, 2024. 

A vote was also held and passed for CA No. 1, which refers to an amendment to require that federal revenues received by the state generated from Outer Continental Shelf alternative or renewable energy production be deposited into the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund (amends Article VII, Section 10.2). Finally, a vote was held and passed for Fire Protection District No. 7 Mills Renewal, which will authorize Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 7, State of Louisiana to renew the levy of a special tax of 5 mills on all the property subject to taxation in the district for a period of 10 years, beginning in 2026 and ending in 2035 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, and maintaining operating fire protection facilities and equipment for the district. This includes the cost of obtaining water for fire protection and paying charges for fire hydrant rentals and service.