Calcasieu Parish voters have a number of major decisions to make Nov. 4 when they vote on election contests involving statewide, regional, parish and city officials.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu’s campaign for a fourth six-year term tops the election ballot. Two major candidates among her eight opponents are U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, and Rob Maness of Madisonville, a Republican and retired Air Force colonel.

U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, who represents this corner of the state, has two opponents — Bryan Barrilleaux, a Lake Charles Republican, and Russell Richard of Lafayette, who is listed as no party.

Voters will elect a new judge on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal, which is located at Lake Charles. The candidates are 14th Judicial District Judge Kent Savoie of Sulphur and Jamie Yelverton of Lake Charles.

Three candidates are seeking Savoie’s 14th District Division A seat. They are David Palay of Lake Charles and William Mitchell “Mitch” Redd and Oliver “Jackson” Schrumpf, both of Sulphur.

District Judge Mike Canaday of Division G has one opponent — King Alexander of Lake Charles.

District Attorney John DeRosier faces Christian Chesson of Lake Charles in his re-election bid.

Three candidates are seeking the Lake Charles/Ward 3 City Court Division A seat being vacated by retiring Judge Thomas Quirk. They are Jamie Bice, Brent Hawkins and Rob McCorquodale.

Division B City Judge John Hood has two opponents — Bryan Gill and Ron Richard.

Ward 3 Marshal Joey Alcede has two opponents — Jeff Hooper and James “Jimmy” Richard.

Calcasieu voters will help put faces on their School Board when they decide the fate of 11 of its 15 members. Eight of those seats are in Lake Charles, one in Westlake, one in Sulphur, and one involving Sulphur and DeQuincy voters.

Westlake residents will have an opportunity to select a new mayor, police chief and some new members of their City Council. DeQuincy has a mayor’s race and one council contest. Mayor Lawrence Henagan has one opponent — Daniel “Dan” Abdalla. Iowa has one council seat to be decided.

There are justice of the peace contests in Wards 1 and 7 and constable elections in Wards 1, 2, 7 and 8.

Any runoff elections that are necessary will be held Dec. 6.

The race for the U.S. Senate has already generated considerable heat, and that is expected to intensify. Other contests will also pick up momentum over the next two months.

The American Press will be publishing sample ballots listing the precincts involved in each contest once they are printed and distributed by the Secretary of State’s Office.

Voters are encouraged to get to know the candidates, watch the debates, and participate in the forums scheduled by civic and other organizations.(MGNonline)