Councilwoman Therese Segura, Mayor Pro Tem Freddie DeCourt and Mayor Hilda Curry were unopposed.
Incoming council members
  
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“I think Ms. Gerac worked hard. She deserves it,” said incumbent councilman Ernest Wilson.
He said it upset him a little that some people he’s helped out didn’t vote for him, but is not upset at the results themselves. “The four years that I worked, I worked from my heart,” he said. “I’m tired, and I’m elated to pass the baton to Ms. Gerac.”
He said he’d support her and work with her after she comes into office on Jan. 1.
The Daily Iberian was unable to reach Gerac.
District 2 had a 26.43 percent voter turnout, with 705 out of 2,667 registered voters participating. Gerac garnered 418 votes for 59.29 percent of the vote and Wilson received 287 votes for 40.71 percent.
The District 5 race was a clear victory for Democrat and incumbent councilman for District 5 Raymond “Shoe-do” Lewis. Lewis said people were asking him as he knocked on doors “why I even had an opponent.”
“I didn’t know why then, but I found out why,” he said.
He said two friends told him Curry had a supporter of hers go and find an opponent to run against him.
“The mayor wanted to take away the voice of District 5 and send our district back into disparity instead of prosperity,” he said. “The voters of District 5 saw that smokescreen and sent me back with a strong, strong message.”
Curry said the allegations are “absolutely incorrect.”
“I don’t get involved in the council’s races,” she said. “I want to work with whoever’s elected. They need to run their own race.”
Lewis said he is thankful for those who supported him, as well as the voters of District 5 for “sending a clear message to this administration” and to God. “He orders my steps in this. If it had not been for the Lord on my side, I don’t know where I’d be,” he said.
Curry said she is looking forward to working with the elected council members — and those who will be elected in runoffs Nov. 4.
The Daily Iberian was unable to reach District 5 candidate Democrat Beatrice “Bea” Livingston.
In District 5 had a voter turnout of a little more than 32 percent, with 1096 out of 3,422 voters participating. Lewis received 783 votes for 71.44 percent; Livingston received 313 votes for 28.56 percent.
Democrat Calvin Begnaud will be the District 6 councilman beginning in 2009.
Begnaud garnered 837 votes for 56.59 percent. Ditch received 642 votes for 43.41 percent.
“I’m excited. I’m very appreciative to the voters that went out and supported me,” Begnaud said.
Republican David Ditch said he called Begnaud and congratulated him, wishing him the best.
“I gave it every shot that I had,” Ditch said. “One way or another, I’m happy it’s over.”
Ditch said he had built on something he would add to in future races.
District 6 had the highest turnout at 36.94 percent with 1,479 out of 4,004 registered voters participating.
Runoffs
No candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in Districts 3 or 4, each of which had three candidates.
Former councilman for District 3 Robert Suire received 411 votes for 39.52 percent.
“I’m going to hit the street tomorrow (Sunday),” he said. “I’m excited. I’m glad the people still have faith in me.”
Incumbent and Democrat David Broussard, who received 335 votes for 32.21 percent, said he is “in heaven. I made the runoff.”
Broussard said more people are likely to turn out and vote in the presidential election.
Warren Gachassin, at age 20 perhaps the youngest New Iberia City Council candidate ever, received 294 votes for 28.27 percent.
“I just don’t think the New Iberia people were ready for a 20-year-old,” said Gachassin. “In four years, we’ll be back, and we’ll be stronger.”
Voter turnout in District 3 was 34.13 percent, with 1040 out of 3,047 voters heading to the polls.
Democrat David Merrill got 292 votes for 43.39 percent.
“I feel really good,” he said. “God is good. If it wouldn’t have been for him, I wouldn’t have gotten this far.”
Republican Winston Copell, who garnered 204 votes for 30.31 percent, said he is planning on taking a few days off, and then hitting the streets again.
“That’s all you can do,” he said. “You can’t make them go to the polls.”
He said he had a long list of voters and was very surprised at the few that turned out.
“It’s been an experience, I can tell you that,” Copell said.
Richard Denison Sr., who came in with 177 votes for 26.3 percent, said “We did the best we could. I’m happy with the support and the votes I got.”
Denison also said he was surprised at the low turnout in the district.
District 4 had the lowest turnout at 23.94 percent, with 673 out of 2,811 registered voters participating.
Comments
Missed Oppurtunity wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:39 AM:
Ted wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:52 AM:
mg wrote on Oct 6, 2008 10:59 PM:
What wrote on Oct 6, 2008 5:28 PM:
How ignorant to make such a statement as blaming Mayor Curry for opposition. He is consistent on opening mouth, inserting foot. It's going to be a long 4 years having to listen & look @ his grandstanding during council meetings. I hope Mayor Curry uses her gavel more often. "
city guy wrote on Oct 6, 2008 2:53 PM:
MR CLEAN wrote on Oct 6, 2008 12:58 PM:
Willie wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:16 AM:
TM wrote on Oct 6, 2008 8:15 AM:
MR CLEAN wrote on Oct 6, 2008 4:26 AM:
Seems like a real nice guy and I wish him a successful repeat term in office. By the way, I asked around town about Mr. Lewis and I couldn't find anyone with a bad thing to say about him.
Go figure. "
bigjake wrote on Oct 5, 2008 8:30 PM:
mg wrote on Oct 5, 2008 5:57 PM:
Cuervo Jones wrote on Oct 5, 2008 4:03 PM: