By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

VACHERIE – The voters of St. James Parish will only have one parish race on the ballot on Nov. 19. A runoff election is scheduled for that date for a parish council representative for South Vacherie’s District 7.

In that race, Jimmy Brazan, the current seat holder, will face off against Donald Nash. In the primary election, the two ran neck and neck, with Nash garnering a total of seven more votes than the incumbent.

With such a close election, Brazan said he will leave it up to the voters on Nov. 19.

“The people are going to vote for who they want to vote for,” said Brazan, adding, “We’re not going to do much different.”

Brazan said he will let his record speak for itself. He noted that during his time on the council, a span of 16 years, drainage issues in the area have been alleviated.

“In this last storm, we didn’t have a single house that flooded,” said Brazan.

He also noted an additional traffic light on Louisiana Highway 20 and the reopening of the West Bank Health Unit as projects in which he played a major role.

He said his work on the council is far from done, however. He is currently working on bringing a west bank expressway to St. James Parish and said he worked hard to secure the money to do a feasibility study for the project.

While he believes his past record is evidence of dedication to the people of South Vacherie, Brazan said he is not content to merely rest on his laurels.

“I plan on winning it,” he said. “I’m going to work hard to win the election.”

Phone calls to Nash were not returned in time for publication.