Note: The following is current as of 3:10 p.m. on August 5, 2026
Candidates officially kicked off the fall election season across Ouachita Parish on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, as qualifying opened for the upcoming November 3 primary election. The qualifying window remains open through Friday, August 7.
Unofficial candidate filings from the Louisiana Secretary of State show a crowded slate of candidates qualifying on day one across congressional, judicial, municipal, and school board races.
Congressional & Judicial Races Draw Early Filings
Five candidates officially qualified on the first day to run for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District:
- Stewart Cathey Jr. (Republican – Fairbanks)
- Michael Echols (Republican – Monroe)
- “Gabe” Firment (Republican – Pollock)
- Austin Magee (Republican – Franklinton)
- Dan McKay (Democrat – Bunkie)
(Note: Candidates for U.S. Senate [“Jamie” Davis (D) and Julia Letlow (R)], Supreme Court Associate Justice Jay B. McCallum (R), and Public Service Commissioner District 5 [John E. Atkins (R) and James Edward Green (D)] previously qualified during the February filing period ).
In the 4th Judicial District Court, candidates entered races across multiple divisions:
- ES 1, Division G: Frederick Jones (Democrat)
- ES 1, Division H: Carlton Parhms (Democrat) and Shirley Wilson Davis (Democrat)
- ES 1, Division I: Mary Alice “Bryant” Cezar (Democrat) and Janet Floyd (Democrat)
- ES 1, Division J: Jessica Welch Williams (Democrat)
- ES 2, Division A: Scott Leehy (Republican)
- ES 2, Division B: C. Bryan Racer (Republican)
- ES 2, Division C: Mario Leija (No Party)
- ES 2, Division D: H. Stephens Winters (Republican)
- ES 2, Division E: Walter “Walt” Caldwell (Republican)
- ES 2, Division F: Wendell Manning (Republican)
- ES 2, Division K: Jefferson “Jeff” Joyce (No Party)
Additionally, Mennon Campbell Jr. (Republican) qualified for District Attorney for the 4th Judicial District.
In local court contests:
- West Monroe City Judge: Brandi Cole (Republican)
- Monroe City Judge Division A: Tammy Lee (Democrat)
- Monroe City Judge Division B: Angie Sturdivant (Republican)
- Monroe City Judge Division C: Aisha Clark (Democrat)
- Monroe City Marshal: Chris Lewis (Democrat)
- West Monroe City Marshal: Joel Dyke (Republican) and John Rutledge (Republican)
Ouachita Parish & City of Monroe School Boards
Education seats across both parish and municipal school systems generated early interest on day one:
- Ouachita Parish School Board:
- District A: Karla Bendily (Republican) and Darris Waren (Republican)
- District B: Shere May (Republican)
- District C: Michael M. Batey (Republican)
- District D: Cody Futrell (No Party) and Tyler Soileau (Republican)
- District E: Harold McCoy (Democrat)
- District F: Arthur “Dabo” Graves (Democrat)
- (District G had no filings on day one ).
- City of Monroe School Board:
- District 1: Jackie Matthews (Democrat) and Kristi Hopper Vinson (Republican)
- District 3: Bret Sanders (Democrat)
- District 4: Joseph Burks I (Democrat) and Ernest Muhammad (Democrat)
- District 5: Betty Ward Cooper (Democrat) and Jeron Strickland (Democrat)
- District 6: Willie J. Brown Jr. (Democrat) and Jesse C. Smith (Democrat)
- District 7: Brenda Shelling (Democrat)
- (District 2 recorded no filings on day one ).
Municipal & Ward Offices
In the Town of Sterlington:
- Mayor: Matt Talbert (Republican)
- Chief of Police: Cobi Brown (Republican)
- Aldermen: Marla Green (Republican) and Zachary “Zack” Howse (No Party)
Local ward level qualifiers included:
- Justice of the Peace: Stuart L. Parker (Ward 1, Republican) , Mark Dennis (Ward 2, Republican) , Lisa Lynch (Ward 6, Republican) , Tonya Auttonberry (Ward 7, Republican) , Greg Sims (Ward 8, Republican) , and Tammi Owens (Ward 9, Republican).
- Constables: Robert Holtzclaw Jr. (Ward 1, Republican) , Jeremy Thompson (Ward 2, Republican) , Wade Weems (Ward 8, Republican) , and Benji Owens (Ward 9, Republican).
Looking Ahead
Qualifying officially closes on Friday, August 7. All candidate filings remain unofficial until qualifying formally ends. Candidates who successfully qualify will move on to the primary election ballot on November 3, 2026.
