Lafayette school board member Justin Centanni announces run for assessor
Lafayette Parish School Board member Justin Centanni announced his campaign for Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor on Wednesday. Centanni will be running to succeed Conrad Comeaux, who has served as assessor since 2001.
Centanni, a Republican, made the official announcement at a family home in Broussard during a gathering with family, friends and community leaders from the parish.
He is currently in his second term representing District 6 on the school board, which covers much of the City of Lafayette between W. University Avenue and Ambassador Caffery Parkway.
“I’m grateful to those who have encouraged me to seek this office and who are joining me in this campaign – they tell me I’m just the nerd for the job,” Centanni said in a release. “My professional career in data analytics and public service on a tax collecting body give me keen insight into the tax assessor’s role and greater potential."
The election will be Oct. 14, 2023.
Lafayette school board joining lawsuit against vape company JUUL
Centanni, 45, has worked as a data analyst and architect for federal government contractors and financial institutions for more than 20 years. He is the Vice President and manager of enterprise data integration for First Horizon Bank. He has also worked for a U.S. Department of Defense contractor while living in Washington, D.C., as well as a manufacturing company and other financial institutions.
He served as school board president in 2019. During his time on the school board, Centanni has been part of plans to build six new schools and expand 12 more to eliminate 75% of the parish's portable buildings by the time the new Lafayette High School opens. He also led the effort to create LafayetteCheckbook.com, a tool for taxpayers to see the money the school system spends.
Five Lafayette schools recognized for beating pre-COVID test scores
"Lafayette Parish is a robust and growing community, and our taxpayers deserve to know their investment in that community is being accurately and appropriately put to work, with the highest level of professionalism, diligence and accountability, just as our parish and municipal leaders deserve an innovative partner in that investment," Centanni said. "I look forward to this campaign, which will reach every inch of Lafayette Parish, and I hope to earn your support and your vote on October 14.”
Centanni is married to Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni, who runs the political outreach firm Centanni Communications. The two met at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. They live in Lafayette and have three children.
CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support journalists like William Taylor Potter
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Justin Centanni announces run for Lafayette tax assessor
