Voters affirmed Dustin Yatesโ leadership Saturday night, electing the interim mayor to steer St. George for the next four years.
Yates defeated fellow Republican Jim Morgan 65% to 35%, according to complete but unofficial results.
"This is a great moment. It's difficult to explain to folks what we've been through over the last so many years," Yates told supporters. "It's been an experience that would probably make a pretty good made-for-TV movie."
Yate's victory didn't extend to the plan of government he was in favor of, though. Voters rejected theย Home Rule Charterย he and other established St. George leaders supported, leaving key questions about how the city will operate unanswered.ย
Yates was appointed as interim mayor last year by Gov. Jeff Landry and has support from his city council colleagues also hoping to be elected to their interim positions.
Morgan was endorsed by Firefighters' unions in both St. George and Baton Rouge.ย
At-large city council seats
Republican David Dellucci was elected outright to an at-large City Council seat, while Republican Jim Talbot and Democrat Shaunn Wyche will go to a runoff.
Here's a breakdown of the vote:ย
- David Dellucci, R โ 28%
- Jim Talbot, R โ 23%
- Scott Emonet, R โ 13%
- Bill Johannessen, R โ 15%
- Shaunn Wyche, D โ 20%ย
District 4 City Council
Republican Patty Cook and Independent David Madaffari are heading to a runoff election on May 3 for the council seat. Three votes separated Madaffari from Justin Turner, sending him to the runoff.
Here's a breakdown of the vote:ย
- Patty Cook, R โ 45% (1,838 votes)
- David Madaffari, Iย โ 19% (775 votes)
- Shannon Powell, I โ 17% (705 votes)
- Justin Turner, Rย ย โ 19% (772 votes)
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the results of the St. George at-large seat. It has also been updated to correct the party affiliation of David Madaffari.
