LAPLACE — Thomas Malik and Steven Fraker plan to spend a lot of time over the next 30 days speaking directly to residents in District 7.

The two St. John the Baptist Parish Council candidates came out of a tightly contested primary Saturday locked in a runoff election that will be decided April 29.

Malik is the early leader, after securing 302 votes (43 percent) by the end of voting last week.

Fraker was second with 204 votes (29 percent), followed by third place finisher James “Buddy” Duhe (196 votes, 28 percent).

The turnout represented less than 15 percent of eligible voters; however, April’s ballot, including a parishwide property tax initiative and special election for state senator, is expect to generate increased action at the polls.

“Saturday went very well,” Malik, 54, said. “The rain probably impacted (turnout). We had a really horrible electrical storm, but I was very pleased with the votes and coming out as the leader. We’re going to focus on the next 30 days and shore up some of the places we are deficient in and continue to get our message out.”

Fraker, 61, said he plans to knock on more doors and speak directly to residents who didn’t vote the first time or backed a candidate who did not make the runoff.

Fraker, president of Economy Bookkeeping and Tax Service in LaPlace, said he wants District 7 residents to know that his accounting background is going to bring a lot to the Parish Council during budget season when it comes to government spending.

“I also want Parish residents to know I will be a councilman who responds to their individual concerns and will be accountable to the Parish and residents on that progress,” Fraker said.

District 7 residents have trudged through a rotation of Council representatives for a year and a half. Incumbent Councilwoman Cheryl Millet announced in 2015 she would seek another Council seat, which led to a fall race between three candidates, eventually won by Buddy Boe. Six months into Boe’s term on the Council, he announced his resignation in order to serve as senior advisor and communications director to Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

Parish Council members followed Boe’s departure by naming Raj Pannu to an interim role on the Council as the District 7 representative.

Pannu’s potential replacement was trimmed by one when Duhe, 20, surprised many in the community with a spirited campaign that netted a strong third place finish.

Duhe said he was kind of surprised with his strong showing, adding his name is out there for future elections.

“I’m going to run again,” he said. “This is only the beginning. I walked every neighborhood and tried to talk to as many people as I could.”

Overwhelmingly, Duhe cited the levee as his District’s No. 1 concern, followed by the promise of attentive representation.

In what could turn out to be a critical decision, Duhe said he is undecided as to if he will endorse one of the remaining candidates during the runoff.

Malik said his campaign team plans to continue door-to-door efforts, adding flood protection and the Parish’s proposed 7-mil property tax to fund a new levee are the concerns most brought up by voters.

“The vast majority of the people I talk to feel (a new levee) is very cost effective and necessary,” he said.