News Summary
Jean Lafitte, Louisiana, is set to elect a new mayor on October 11, 2023, following the exit of Timothy Kerner Jr. after 50 years of Kerner family leadership. Yvette Crain, interim mayor and long-time town clerk, aims to address hurricane recovery and flood resilience. She faces competition from local firefighter Will Wyman, who emphasizes better communication and disaster response. This election is a historic opportunity for residents to choose a leadership path for the first time in decades.
Jean Lafitte, a small coastal fishing town in Louisiana, is poised for a significant political transition as the community prepares to elect a new mayor on October 11, 2023. This election marks the first change in leadership since the town’s incorporation 50 years ago, ending a long-standing legacy associated with the Kerner family.
Timothy Kerner Jr., the current mayor, vacated his position in May 2023 to join the Jefferson Parish Council. Since his departure, Yvette Crain, who has served as the town clerk for 35 years, has been fulfilling the role of interim mayor. Crain has worked alongside three generations of the Kerner family during her tenure, providing her with extensive institutional knowledge about the town’s operations and history.
Crain, a Republican, has made it her mission to tackle the ongoing challenges stemming from Hurricane Ida, which significantly impacted the town. She aims to repair damages from the storm and ensure that all homes in Jean Lafitte comply with Base Flood Elevation standards, critical for long-term safety and sustainability. In her efforts, she intends to continue the levee strengthening projects initiated by her predecessors, recognizing the ongoing threats posed by flooding and storm damage.
Joining Crain in the race is Will Wyman, a Democrat and a local firefighter with 25 years of experience in the community. Wyman has raised concerns about the previous administration’s communication strategies and the need for improved disaster response protocols. He argues that there are unmet needs within the community that require immediate attention and action, positioning himself as a candidate focused on transparency and responsiveness.
The upcoming special mayoral election is noteworthy, as it is only the fourth time in Jean Lafitte’s history that more than one candidate has pursued the mayoral seat. Previous elections have seen an overwhelming majority of votes go to the Kerner family, with recent contests ending in victories of at least 93% of the ballots cast.
With a population of approximately 1,800 residents, Jean Lafitte has faced numerous challenges in the wake of Hurricane Ida, including flooding, storm damage, and rising insurance costs. Many local homes require elevation to withstand future storms, but the costs of these necessary improvements are often prohibitively high for residents. Local officials are actively addressing these vulnerabilities, with over $100 million in storm surge protection projects currently underway.
Crain is hopeful that her extensive experience in town administration will enable her to effectively finish ongoing projects and bolster the community’s resilience against future disasters. Conversely, Wyman’s motivation to run stems from a commitment to addressing community frustrations, emphasizing a desire for better communication and resource allocation in disaster management.
As Election Day approaches on October 11, there is a heightened sense of interest and engagement among Jean Lafitte residents, many of whom believe that the outcome of this election could significantly alter the town’s future. Voters expect to engage in a decision-making process that reflects their collective hopes for progress and stability in the face of environmental challenges.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NOLA: Jean Lafitte New Mayor Candidates
- WDSU: Lafitte Mayoral Race – New Candidate Entry
- WWLTV: Tim Kerner Tops Andrea Manuel
- NOLA: Jean Lafitte Mayor Council Race
- WDSU: Jefferson Parish Council District 1 Race Winner
- Wikipedia: Jean Lafitte
- Google Search: Jean Lafitte Louisiana
- Google Scholar: Jean Lafitte Mayoral Election
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jean Lafitte
- Google News: Jean Lafitte Mayor
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
