Three candidates vie for State Sen. Brett Allain's District 21 seat.
State Senator Brett Allain is approaching his term limit and three people are vying for his seat.
Allain delivered his final official speech in Gray, Louisiana, on Aug. 15, and he will officially leave office on Jan. 8. Voting takes place Oct. 14, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. in Terrebonne and Lafourche.
Allain has held the District 21 seat, which includes parts of Lafourche, Terrebonne, Iberia, Assumption, lower St. Martin and St. Mary. Here are the three people running for his seat, in alphabetical order:
Robert L. Allain III
Son of the current State Senator, Allain III is a partner in the family's sugarcane farm, Adeline Planting Co. of Jeanerette, and is the founder and president of Integrity Marine, a dredging, demolition and debris removal company.
According to Allain III, he seeks the office to increase opportunities within Louisiana by making the state more competitive with its neighbors. Like his father, he said this can be done through tax reform.
"We can accomplish this by reforming insurance, taxes, and education because these are the areas that are keeping Louisiana down. By keeping people here and expanding the base, we can have more competitive markets," he said, via email. "This will allow us to have cheaper insurance, lower taxes, and expand educational opportunities."
Henry “Bo” LaGrange
Patterson native Henry "Bo" LaGrange has been the Chief Administrative Officer of St. Mary Parish Government since 1996. He also served as the parish's Planning and Zoning Director.
If elected, LaGrange said his focus will be on improving education, economic growth, infrastructure, and lowering insurance costs.
"As a father, grandfather, and proud member of this community, I am deeply committed to making a positive impact in the lives of our families and neighbors," he said. "Throughout my life, I have witnessed the power of collaboration and the strength that comes from working together toward common goals."
More: Chackbay man convicted of killing three Nicholls students in DWI crash is sentenced
More: Two Terrebonne Parish schools receive bomb threats at the end of the school day
Stephen Swiber
Stephen Swiber of Gibson is the Executive Vice President of Diamond Services Corporation, where he's worked since 2016. Swiber is also a member of the Board of Directors for MC Bank & Trust Company, since 2016; the Atchafalaya Intracoastal Coalition, which he co-founded a year ago; and the Land Trust for Louisiana, which he joined this year.
If elected, Swiber said his focus would be on improving schools, lowering the price of insurance, and improving the economy by lowering taxes and removing regulations on businesses.
"I cannot stand by while our government in Baton Rouge engages in reckless spending and cronyism," he said. "I believe my business experience and outsider status will make me an asset for the people of this District."
This article originally appeared on The Courier: Three candidates running for Louisiana's District 21 senate seat.
