While other seasons may be winding down or already over during these hot summer months, one season is about to officially kick into gear in the scorching heat.

Next week marks the qualifying period for the Oct. 4 elections in Ascension Parish and the 23rd Judical District, which includes Assumption and St. James parishes. With a large slate of offices up for grabs, it promises to be one to watch.

Numerous high-profile offices will be up for grabs in the fall. These include the 23rd Judicial District Attorney and all five district judgeships; the mayor, police chief and city council members for Gonzales and the mayor and city council seats in Donaldsonville.
Also on the ballot will be the justices of the peace and their respective constables in the three justice courts throughout the parish.

While some of these races have yet to catch fire, some have already been raging for quite  some time. Just driving around the parish, you can see political signs abounding wherever public or private greenspace is available.

With many long-time officials announcing they will not seek re-election (District Attorney Anthony Falterman, Gonzales Mayor Johnny Berthelot, Gonzales Police Chief Bill Landry and Gonzales City Couniclman Larry Savell), it means that new blood will be infused into positions that have been held down for decades. At this crossroads in the growth of Ascension Parish and the 23rd Judicial District, it’s pivotal that these offices are filled with candidates ready to hit the ground running. As hot as these elections will be, there’s no time to stand still.