ST. MARTIN PARISH, LA — After 16 years, voters in St. Martin Parish will elect a new Sheriff after current Sheriff Ronnie Theriot decided not to run for reelection.
The three candidates running for the position all tout law enforcement experience.
Brian Douglas Theriot, the son of the current Sheriff, decided to make a run after retiring from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Theriot says, when considering who to vote for, to look at "the totality of my resume, with my 20 years in law enforcement experience, my bachelor's degree from UL, my master's degree from LSU, and my 46 years of being around law enfocement my whole life."
Retired State Trooper Becket Breaux cites his nearly 30 years as a trooper as the reason voters should select him for the seat.
"I love law enforcement. I love protecting the people of St. Martin Parish. I've served the people of St. Martin Parish since I was 17 years old. That's all I know what to do."
The final candidate, Albert "Buz" Leblanc, is a retired Naval Officer and Sheriff's Deputy from St. Martin Parish and has been running his own business for the last several years.
Leblanc said, "I believe that I have the most diverse experience level. I've got a military background, I've got a business background, and I'm the only person running in this race that's ever worked in a jail or for a sheriff's office full time."
All three agree that crime has risen in the parish and a lot must be done to crack down on drug activity and increase patrols in rural areas.
Voters will head to the polls on October 12th.
