(The Center Square) — Lake Charles voters decided a change was required in city hall this week.
Marshall Simien beat incumbent Nicholas Hunter for the Lake Charles mayoral seat during the runoff election held on Saturday.
Hunter has held the mayor seat in Lake Charles since 2017. However, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State‘s unofficial results, Simien received 52% or 7,703 votes, securing the position. Over 14,000 people voted in Saturday’s election for the next mayor.
Back in March, the two candidates secured their spot in the runoff election, with Hunter receiving 47% of the vote and Simien receiving 29%.
Many millage renewals for Westlake passed with overwhelming support from voters. Propositions No. 1 and No. 2 proposed a renewal of 10 mills each for the next 10 years beginning in 2026. Voter turnout was the same for both millage renewals— 76% or 217 people voted in favor of both, and 24% voted against.
Proposition No. 1 will go towards operating and maintaining the fire departments in the city. Proposition No. 2 will be used to operate and maintain the police departments. Both millages will generate $705,000 annually each.
Westlake voters also passed two sales tax renewals with the majority of voters in support. Proposition No. 3 and No. 4 received 78% in favor.
Proposition No. 3 authorizes the renewal of a 1% sales and use tax for 10 years. The sales tax will generate $1.5 million annually. Proposition No. 4, also a sales tax renewal, authorizes a half percent sales and use tax for 10 years, generating $750,000.
Other tax renewals passed included a parish-wide law enforcement district sales and use tax. 56% of people voted in favor of the tax renewal which is estimated to generate $33.5 million annually. The tax will renew Oct. 1, 2026.
District C of Lake Charles had a council election also. Tommy Bilbo received 57% of the vote, beating Priscilla Sam, who received 43%.
