Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach was granted his fourth straight term in office after no candidate qualified to campaign against him during the spring elections.

This is the first time Roach has won re-election unopposed.

“I feel overwhelmed and appreciative and want to thank the citizens for allowing me the opportunity to continue to serve,” he told the American Press on Friday.

During his year’s in office, Roach has overseen downtown and lakefront renovations, which started in earnest after Hurricane Rita in 2005. His administration has also managed $90 million in capital improvements, contended with union contract issues, updated zoning regulations.

Roach declined comment on what his agenda for the next four years will be.

“I’ll have a lot more to say, but we just want to enjoy and reflect,” he said. “It is a privilege to be able to work with the public, City Council and other agencies for another four years.”

Roach did not comment on the ease of winning another term.

“I just want to say thank you to the public for allowing me to serve. I love what I do. I enjoy it. I am proud of what we have accomplished,” he said.

Several candidates, including seven incumbents, were elected outright without opposition Friday as qualifying for the April 6 closed, while races were set in 11 other Southwest Louisiana elections.

In Lake Charles, incumbent council members Rodney Geyen, John Ieyoub, Stuart Weatherford and Dana Carl Jackson retained their seats. Also, Vinton Mayor Kenneth Stinson was re-elected without opposition to his third term after no one else qualified for the seat.

Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach. (American Press Archives)