Calcasieu Parish District Attorney John DeRosier was re-elected Tuesday by a large margin.

DeRosier defeated challenger Christian Chesson by more than 8,000 votes, according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office. DeRosier received 57 percent, or 34,012 votes, and Chesson received 43 percent, or 25,819 votes. DeRosier took 93 of 123 precincts.

“I appreciate the voters of Calcasieu Parish re-electing me and having faith in the job that we’re doing,” DeRosier said at Pat’s of Henderson, which was packed with his supporters. “I think it’s so important that law enforcement all work together to make this community a safer place, and that’s what we’re really all about.”

Chesson did not return phone calls, but released a statement through his campaign adviser.

“I’m obviously disappointed with this outcome, but I promise the people of Calcasieu Parish that I will continue to fight for justice for all — both in my law practice and as a citizen,” Chesson said. “Despite my opponent’s attacks on my character and his misuse of public money for political purposes, the voters have spoken and I must respect that decision.”

As expected, Tuesday’s elections, which included congressional races, drew a large turnout. Nevertheless, things went smoothly in Calcasieu, Clerk of Court Lynn Jones said. Voters heeded advice to head to the polls prepared, many with paper ballots filled out, he said.

“We did have lines, but the lines could have been much worse,” he said.

DeRosier was first elected district attorney in 2005, taking over midterm for Rick Bryant. He won the election in a runoff with Rob McCorquodale. In 2008, DeRosier took 70 percent of the vote to defeat Steven Streete and retain the office.

“You never know what to expect,” DeRosier said. “Times are changing. A lot emphasis was placed on Internet advertising in this campaign, which is something different than in the past. It impacts a different target audience, but you have to expect change and change with it. We’ve learned some lessons from that and we will apply those in the future.(American Press Archives)

Michelle Higginbotham