Four candidates are seeking election to the District 3 seat on the new Lafayette Parish Council: Josh Carlson, Mike Davis, Jeremy Hidalgo, and Jon Liprie. All of the candidates are registered Republicans.
Lafayette voters decided last year to de-consolidate the Lafayette City-Parish Council. Now everyone in the parish will vote on a new parish council member, and people living in the city limits will vote on both a parish council member and a city council member. If you want to know what districts you are in, check your ballot by clicking here.
If you want to see a map of the districts, CLICK HERE: https://lcg.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=668d0511de2b490cb3143376b9738bf8
JOSH CARLSON
Josh Carlson’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/votecarlson/
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself in five sentences – who are you and what’s your background?
My name is Josh Carlson, candidate for Lafayette Parish Council, District 3. I have lived in Lafayette most of my life. I graduated from Lafayette High and UL. I married a sweet Cajun girl and together we have two children, Jonathan (5) and Madeleine (2). For nearly 10 years, I was a volunteer Youth Pastor, serving hundreds of students and parents all across Acadiana while also working as the owner of an IT company. I believe if you serve others well, you lead them well, and I plan to continue serving our community as a member of the Parish Council.
2. Why do you want to run for office?
I decided to run for office, because I was concerned about the future of Lafayette. For the past five to six years, I have seen us making decisions I believe will fundamentally change who we are as a parish. I want to ensure that my children and grandchildren, if they so choose, have a wonderful place to live, work, and raise their family.
3. What issue is the most important for you to tackle in your district?
The most important issue for me to tackle is drainage and jobs. The most pressing immediate need is the flooding of houses and businesses. If you can’t leave your driveway when it rains, not much else matters. The second most important issue is jobs. People are concerned over the long-term economic outlook for the Parish, especially since the oilfield has not rebounded to the place it once was.
4. What distinguishes you from other candidates?
The fact that I am not currently a politician is something that distinguishes me from other candidates. I am a small business owner who will approach our issues with common sense solutions, not a political mindset.
MIKE DAVIS
Mike Davis’ facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mikesdavisofficial/
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself in five sentences – who are you and what’s your background?
My name is Mike Davis, I hold a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, a Masters in Electrical Engineering, a Masters in Business Administration, and am currently a Systems Engineering Doctoral Candidate at UL and work as an Aeronautical Engineer designing helicopter modifications at Arrow Aviation in Broussard, LA the largest helicopter service center in North America. I am a conservative pro-gun pro-life Republican running for Lafayette Parish Council District 3.
2. Why do you want to run for office?
I have wanted to be on the Lafayette City Council since I was 10 years old, I’ve spent my life here and want nothing more than to serve the community I have lived my life in and improve my neighbors’ quality of life. As an Engineer I’m here to fix our regions drainage issues, not just my Parish District. As a business owner I’m here to develop innovative methods for our Parish to generate more revenue by better leveraging the naturals resources and human talent we have in our city in lieu of just increasing property or sales taxes. As the holder of three renewable energies patents I’m here to diversify Louisiana’s manufacturing industries by attracting renewables manufactures to construct their equipment such as wind turbines and solar cells in Louisiana.
3. What issue is the most important for you to tackle in your district?
The most important issue to fix is our economy, but to fix our economy we’ve got to improve our infrastructure and stop people from flooding. No business will want to come into our Parish if they or their employees risk flooding and losing everything they own every six months. Everything is connected, no problem is independent of the others and I will take them head on.
4. What distinguishes you from other candidates?
I am here to innovate. Just as President Trump is a Change Agent, so am I. Louisiana is consistently ranked 48-50th on virtually every national statistic and the second poorest city in the nation is Ville Platte, a mere 30 minutes from Lafayette. I will not allow this trend to continue. Our state needs young, bright, innovative, and energetic people if we are to get out of the rut our state is in.
JEREMY HIDALGO
Jeremy Hidalgo's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hidalgoforschoolboard2014/
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself in five sentences – who are you and what’s your background?
I was born and raised in Milton where I currently reside with my wife Natalie and our two daughters Emily and Reagan. I am a small business owner and serve as Chief Operations Officer for the City of Broussard. I am also currently the elected Lafayette Parish School Board Representative for District 9, which includes areas of Youngsville, Milton, Broussard, and south east Lafayette. I have a true passion for serving my community and the wonderful people in it.
2. Why do you want to run for office?
I want to continue my service because I believe I can help make a difference and “move the needle” for our parish. I also, want to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family.
3.What issue is the most important for you to tackle in your district?
Drainage. We must start running our government like we run our households and our businesses so we can finally prioritize and address this important issue. And, we must bring all of our community leaders together so we can all pull in the same direction on this issue as opposed to the tug of war we currently have.
4. What distinguishes you from other candidates?
My experience as a problem solver and results producer. I was part of a team that brought progress and stability to the Lafayette Parish School System. I am proud of how far we have come. I will bring the same level of passion and dedication to the Parish Council, and this will be beneficial to District 3.
JOHN LIPRIE
Jon Liprie's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiprieForLafayette/
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself in five sentences – who are you and what’s your background?
· Internal medicine physician from LSU- Medical Center
· Earned an MBA from University of Massachusetts, Amherst
· Hospital Administrator at Lourdes Regional Medical Center
· Licensed commercial pilot
· I have been married for 24 years and I am the proud father of my 3 daughters.
2. Why do you want to run for office?
· I have the skill set for Parish Government
· As a physician, I am hardwired to help people and solve problems
· As a hospital administrator, I look at the big picture and find creative solutions.
· As an MBA, I can balance a budget with limited resources
3.What issue is the most important for you to tackle in your district?
· Infrastructure is the most important issue.
· The parish has a backlog of repairs and improvements including drainage and roads.
· Recognizing the priorities and funding this will be challenging.
4. What distinguishes you from other candidates?
· I am a physician with an MBA and a hospital administrator for 16years.
· I have years of experience making tough critical choices.
