On Saturday, residents of Jeff Davis Parish overwhelmingly elected local attorney Lauren Heinen as their next district attorney.

Lake Arthur voters also renewed separate taxes to support recreation, streets and drainage.

Heinen led the three-way race with 3,672 votes, or 58% of the vote against Acting District Attorney Elliott Cassidy who received 2,203 votes, or 35% of the vote, according to the complete but unofficial results of the Secretary of State. State.

Daniel Sparks, a local attorney and public defender, got 500 votes, or 8%.

The election was held to fill the seat left vacant by the untimely death of 31st Judicial Court District Attorney Kevin Millican, who died last July six months after taking office.

Heinen, who is currently a counselor for the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, campaigned on her experience as a lawyer, business owner and special counsel.

She previously served as a public defender in Acadia Parish and is a founding partner of the law firm Heinen and Guinn in Jennings. She plans to continue her private practice while serving as a district attorney.

Heinen will serve as district attorney until 2026.

The voter turnout for the district attorney race was 31%.

In Lake Arthur, voters renewed a 10-year, $2.84 million contract to maintain and operate recreation facilities and public parks by a vote of 269 to 102, or 73% in favor with a rate 23% stake. The tax will generate $29,100 annually.

Voters also renewed a 10-year, $5.51 million tax by a vote of 261 to 109, or 71% in favor with a 23% turnout. The tax will generate $56,400 annually for the maintenance and upkeep of streets and alleys.

A tax of 5.51 million over 10 years for the maintenance and upkeep of the drainage system and ditches was also renewed by a vote of 269 votes against 100, or 73% in favor with a turnout of 23 %. The tax will generate $56,400 annually.