Last updated July 21, 2022 at 4:35 p.m.

by Brad Dison

Qualifying for the November 8th election began July 20th, and will run through Friday, July 22nd at 4:30 p.m. at the Bienville Parish Clerk of Courts Office.

So far, dozens of candidates have qualified for local political offices.  There are several political offices in which no candidates have yet qualified.  You still have until 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, July 22, to qualify.  If you are interested in qualifying, it would be wise to do so as soon as possible.

Below is a list of the candidates who have qualified so far:

• Member of School Board District 1
  • Sharolyn Boston (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Member of School Board District 2
  • Mickey Hampton (D)  – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
  • Oswald Townsend (D) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Member of School Board District 3
  • LeJoyce Gaulden Adams (NP) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • Derrika “Gel” Bailey (I) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • Jeffery D. Sampson (D) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Member of School Board District 4
  • Darren B. Iverson (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Member of School Board District 5
  • Martha Grigg (NP) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • Antavion “Tay” Moore (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Member of School Board District 6
  • Christopher Colton Guin (NP) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • Patricia Regina Swint (I) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Member of School Board District 7
  • Donald “Don” Calloway (I) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • Christopher West Walker (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Mayor Town of Arcadia
  • O’Landis “Bubba” Millican (NP) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • LaShondra Elaine Russell (D) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
  • Bonnie Stephenson (I) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Mayor Town of Gibsland
  • Ray Ivory Sr. (NP) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • Jeannie Y. Richardson (D) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Mayor Town of Mount Lebanon
  • Aaron Clark (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Mayor Town of Ringgold
  • Milton Vining (I) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Mayor Village of Bienville
  • No candidates have qualified
• Mayor Village of Castor
  • Vicki Pickett (R) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Chief of Police Town of Arcadia
  • Andrew J. Cato (D) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • Ciera Murphy (D) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Chief of Police Town of Gibsland
  • Gregory Pickens (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Chief of Police Town of Ringgold
  • Freddie Peterson (I) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Aldermen Town of Gibsland – (5 to be elected)
  • Dianna Pearson (D) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • Gary Durham (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Aldermen Town of Mount Lebanon – (5 to be elected)
  • Michael “Mike” King (I) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
  • Anna M. Lathan (D) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
  • Kimberly Rigdon (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
  • Philip L. Towns (R) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Aldermen Village of Bienville – (3 to be elected)
  • James “Jamie” Smith Jr. (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Aldermen Village of Bryceland – (1 to be elected)
  • Susan Renee Loe (R) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Aldermen Village of Castor – (3 to be elected)
  • Darryl Clark (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Aldermen Village of Lucky – (1 to be elected)
  • No candidates have qualified
• Aldermen Village of Saline – (2 to be elected)
  • Marvin “Buddy” Parker (NP) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Council Member District 1, Town of Arcadia 
  • Jerry L. Abney (NP) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
  • Lydia “Lottie” Harris (D) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
• Council Member District 2, Town of Arcadia
  • Melanie Monroe (D) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Council Member District 3, Town of Arcadia
  • Joseph C. Pruitt Jr. (NP) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Council Member District 4, Town of Arcadia
  • Edwin Mason (D) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Council Member District 5, Town of Arcadia
  • Vickery “Vicki” Caskey (I) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)
  • Rita Desai (R) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
  • Timothy Williams (D) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Councilman District 1, Town of Ringgold
  • No candidates have qualified
• Councilman District 2, Town of Ringgold
  • Eddy Higginbotham (R) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Councilman District 3, Town of Ringgold
  • Sarah Allums (D) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Councilman District 4, Town of Ringgold
  • Keith C. Johnson (D) – (Qualified 7/20/2022)
• Councilman District 5, Town of Ringgold
  • Alan D. Clayborn (R) – (Qualified 7/21/2022)

See below for qualifying information:

Clerk of Court Eddie Holmes  said, “Please note that a new law REQUIRES all candidates to provide a PUBLICLY AVAILABLE EMAIL ADDRESS on their qualifying form. Keep this in mind. If you need help with getting one setup, let me know and I’ll do my best to assist you.

Also remember running on a party ticket (R or D) doubles your qualifying fee (This can change by parish so check locally if you aren’t in Bienville). This extra money goes to that party. You may change this at any time before qualifying. It will default to whatever your current voter registration is.”

Fee Schedule:

• All Town/Village Offices (Fees are specific to Bienville Parish based on population)
  • $40.00
  • $80.00 if Democrat or Republican
• School Board Members
  • $115
  • $230 if Democrat or Republican

All fees must be paid with cash, money order, or certified bank check.  No credit cards or personal checks.

Qualifying is for the following offices in Bienville Parish.

PARISH WIDE

• School Board Members (Most District lines have changed due to Redistricting)

ARCADIA

• Mayor
• Chief of Police
• Council Members (District lines have changed due to Redistricting)

BIENVILLE

• Mayor
• Aldermen

CASTOR

• Mayor
• Alderman

GIBSLAND

• Mayor
• Chief of Police
• Aldermen

MOUNT LEBANON

• Mayor
• Alderman

RINGGOLD

• Mayor
• Chief of Police
• Councilmen

SALINE

• Alderman (1 to be elected)

BRYCELAND

• Alderman (1 to be elected)

LUCKY

• Alderman (1 to be elected)

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