By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
On July 22, 2024, Lafayette District Attorney Don Landry filed a petition with the 15th Judicial District Attorney objecting to Rickey Boudreaux’s candidacy to reclaim his position as Youngsville Police Chief. Grayson Lynn Bolgiano Jr., a registered voter in Youngsville, Louisiana, filed the petition.
Boudreaux, former Chief of Police in Youngsville, announced his retirement on August 9, 2023, with an effective date of August 21, 2023. He cited medical reasons for his decision.
After Boudreaux’s retirement, the City of Youngsville appointed Cody Louviere as the Interim Police Chief until a special election is held to fulfill Boudreaux’s remaining term as Youngsville Police Chief. The special election for the seat is scheduled for November 5, 2024.
According to Louisiana Revised Statue (RS) 18:586, which went into effect June 6, 2023, and includes, “No elected official who has retired or resigned from state or local elective office shall be eligible as a candidate at an election called to fill the vacancy created by the retirement or resignation of the elected official.”
§586. Vacancies caused by retirement or resignation; prohibitions
A. No elected official who has retired or resigned from state or local elective office shall be appointed to succeed himself in the office from which the official retired or resigned.
B. No elected official who has retired or resigned from state or local elective office shall be eligible as a candidate at an election called to fill the vacancy created by the retirement or resignation of the elected official.
Acts 2023, No. 119, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
Despite RS 18:856 going into effect on June 6, 2023, candidates are still able to qualify during the specified qualifying dates for an election. However, for the law to be enforced, in this case, a registered voter of the City of Youngsville must challenge the candidacy with the Lafayette Parish District Attorney’s Office (LPDAO). The LPDAO will investigate the challenge.
The petition states, “Petitioner has been presented with evidence by one or more registered voters of the City of Youngsville, Louisiana, that Defendant Richard J. Boudreaux has illegally qualified as a candidate for Chief of Police, City of Youngsville, Louisiana.”
Read the full petition below:
