Elections are here! On Tuesday, March 9 you can vote on your party’s presidential nominee, if you are a Democrat or Republican. Although most, if not all of the Democratic nominees have withdrawn after the commanding lead John Kerry picked up earlier this week, everyone’s name is still on the ballot, including General Wesley Clark.
I’m not familiar with all of the rules regarding delegates and the Democratic Party, but you can still vote for your candidate if you want to give them a little more standing within the party.
The Republicans also have to pick a presidential candidate. Californian Bill Wyatt has placed his name on the ballot. Needless to say, he has not garnered many votes within any of the states that have already held elections or caucuses.
What is surprising to me, and perhaps it is a good thing, there are some battles taking place for state party delegates. The Democrats have a couple of elections for precincts and at-large positions, while the Republicans are having elections for all positions.
I’m not sure what the boundaries are, but if you are a registered Democrat living in precincts 14 through 50, you can vote for 104th Representative District, Office A and Office B. If for no reason other than the fact that we are both members of Kiwanis, I would vote for Suzy Andry. She is wrapped up in old line politics, married to Gilbert Andry and affiliated with Sidney Torres, but this is not a position that is making any laws, so what the heck.
Anyone within St. Bernard that is a registered Democrat can vote for the At-Large positions, which has six people running for five seats. I think Democrats should have some fun, vote for everyone but Sheriff Jack Stevens. Again, it would be jus for the fun of it.
Disclaimer: In case you don’t know or haven’t picked up on it, I’m Republican. Although I’m interested in what Democrats do, I have no say in how they run their party and don’t hold much more than a passing interest.
St. Bernard Republicans have their own party delegates to elect. 103rd Subdistrict B has three challengers for the incumbent, Mike Bayham. I’m not familiar with any of the three, but would pick one instead of Bayham. He just seems to be trying too hard to be a career politician.
In the 104th Subdistrict A race, Robby Showalter is running against Carlos Zelaya II. Robby is to the go to man here. He is the CFO for Boasso America, one of newly elected Senator Walter Boasso’s right-hand men. Robby has been very involved in the St. Bernard community through his efforts with the Kiwanis Club (he heads the Invention Convention program and the Golf Tournament), has served as President of the local Kiwanis Club, and is currently Lt. Governor of the local Kiwanis District. Having known Robby for over twelve years, I have to say is a very straight forward and honest guy.
In the 1104th Subdistrict B race, Steve Fecke is running opposite Andrew Marshall III. Steve Fecke is your man in this race. He has received the endorsement of Senator Boasso, is owner, along with his wife, of Jubilee Food Store, and contributes to the community in many ways. I’m voting for Steve.
Just a side note here. During the qualifying period for this election, I was contacted by one of the State Party Representatives to run for this position myself. I turned it down, especially after learning that Steve was running.
Republicans also have five at-large positions to fill, of which eight are running. Interesting names on the ballot include Jacqueline Dean, Lynn Dean’s wife, and Linda Vinsanau, the sister of Marlene Vinsanau. I really haven’t decided who to vote for in this race.
The last election for Republicans only is another parish-wide at-large position for the Western Division. This position must have been shrunk from two seats to one since there are two incumbents running against each other. Don’t know either, so bring a coin into the booth with you (I call tails!).
This leaves the last race that will be on Tuesday ballot, and is probably the most important one, Judge for the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. This is a special election due to the death of Chief Judge William Byrnes. The two people running for this election are New Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Roland Belsome, and Barrie Beth Byrnes. Widow of Judge Byrnes.
I contacted the campaigns of both candidates and spoke at length with Mrs. Byrnes son, William Byrnes, IV. Judge Belsome’s campaign did nothing more than get my email address and send me the
press release announcing his candidacy.
After speaking with Mr. Byrnes, he emailed me a copy of his mothers
qualifications and several
articles from the Times-Picayune that have been gathered over the years. These articles do not paint a friendly picture of Mr. Belsome.
Although he has been serving as a judge for some time now, Mr. Belsome has never faced an election for his seat. He elected to a vacant seat after his only challenger dropped out of the race.
Perhaps the biggest the worry with Mr. Belsome is his deep involvement and close ties to former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial. Mr. Belsome was the judge assigned the case to hear the lawsuit regarding whether the petition was valid for Mr. Morial to seek a third-term. Mr. Belsome saw no conflict of interest in hearing the case instead of recusing himself.
I have to join Parish Councilman Lynn Dean and former US Congresswoman and Ambassador Lindy Boggs in supporting Mrs. Byrnes.
You can get a sample ballot for your precinct by visiting the Secretary of State's web site
here.
On a lighter note, if you're looking for somewhere to eat tonight for Lent, visit the Marksmen of St. Mark's Fish Fry. Serving fried fish, oysters, shrimp, crab cakes, and all the trimmings, it's great food at a great price. We start serving at 5:30 PM and will be located in the St. Mark School Cafeteria.
Be good to yourself,
Westley Annis
westley@da-parish.com
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posted by Westley at 3/05/2004 08:00:35 AM
