By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

VACHERIE – In St. James Parish, four constable seats and two justice of the peace positions were contested in minor elections Saturday.

In District 1, incumbent Constable Ronald “Shine” Boudreaux held onto his seat by defeating challenger “Alex” Gerhold. With two of two precincts reporting, Boudreaux collected 666 votes for 67.96 percent of the vote, while Gerhold only managed 314 votes for 32.04 percent of the vote.

District 3 constable went to incumbent Timothy “Droopy” Bourgeois, who held off a challenge from Mark Russell. With three of the three precincts reporting, Bourgeois gathered 695 votes for 73.39 percent of the vote, while Russell only picked up 252 votes for 26.61 percent of the vote.

The District 4 constable race saw incumbent Johnnie Shorty holding off a challenge from Margaret M. Jones. With four of the four precincts reporting, Shorty registered 538 votes for 75.46 percent of the vote, while Jones only picked up 175 votes for 24.54 percent of the vote.

Three newcomers battled in District 5 to take over the constable seat vacated by Exodus Mitchell Sr. Sylvester J. “Syl” Winchester Sr. won the race over fellow challengers Louis “Knot” Celestin and Rydell “Bin” Malancon. Winchester picked up 557 votes for 48.43 percent of the vote, while Malancon managed 481 votes for 41.83 percent of the vote. Celestin only collected 112 votes for 9.74 percent of the vote.

For justice of the peace in District 2, Milton “Bud” Lambert defeated fellow challenger Danny B. Manuel to take the seat vacated by Yvonne O. Cunningham. With four of the four precincts reporting, Lambert picked up 677 votes for 62.17 percent of the vote, while Manuel collected 412 votes for 37,83 percent of the vote.

Finally, the District 5 justice of the peace race went to Incumbent Trina Folse Moll, who held off a challenge from Lena T. Ketchens. With three of the three precincts reporting, Moll managed 713 votes for 61.79 percent of the vote, while Ketchens gathered 441 votes for 38.21 percent of the vote.