Lake Charles, Louisiana — In a closely watched election on May 3, 2024, Calcasieu Parish voters elected Marshall Simien Jr. as the new mayor of Lake Charles, while also passing several important tax renewal propositions across the parish and in the City of Westlake.

Mayoral Race Shifts City Leadership

Marshall Simien Jr., who ran as an Independent, secured a narrow victory over incumbent Mayor Nicholas "Nic" Hunter, a Republican. Simien received 7,703 votes, accounting for 52% of the total, while Hunter garnered 7,049 votes, or 48%. The race attracted a considerable turnout, with 14,752 ballots cast and an unofficial voter participation rate of 32%.

Simien’s win marks a significant shift for Lake Charles, as he campaigned on promises of inclusive leadership and community-focused growth. The closely contested race reflected the city's diverse perspectives and priorities.

City Council Election in District C

In the contest for City Council District C, Tommy Bilbo, a Democrat, emerged victorious over fellow Democrat Priscilla Sam. Bilbo received 1,281 votes, or 57%, compared to Sam’s 972 votes, or 43%. Voter turnout in this district was reported at 30.7%.

Tax Renewals Support Law Enforcement and City Services

Voters across Calcasieu Parish and in the City of Westlake approved multiple tax renewals, demonstrating continued public support for local government services.

• Law Enforcement Sales and Use Tax Renewal: Parish-wide, voters backed the renewal of a 1/2% sales and use tax dedicated to the sheriff’s law enforcement district. The 10-year renewal passed with 56% voting “yes” (10,381 votes) and 44% voting “no” (8,087 votes). The measure saw a turnout of 15%. Sales and use taxes are collected on goods and services and often fund essential public safety and infrastructure.
• Westlake Property and Sales Tax Renewals: In Westlake, four separate tax renewal propositions passed by wide margins, each covering a 10-year period. The propositions included two 10-mill property tax renewals and two sales and use tax renewals (1% and 1/2%), all supporting municipal and community services. Each measure received between 76% and 78% approval, though turnout was lower in Westlake, ranging from 8.7% to 8.8%. Property taxes, measured in mills (one-tenth of a cent), help fund city operations, maintenance, and capital projects.

Voter Turnout and Community Engagement

While turnout for the mayoral and council races hovered around 30%, participation in the tax proposition votes was notably lower, particularly in Westlake. Experts often note that lower turnout in such votes can be attributed to limited publicity or voter fatigue, but the strong margins of approval suggest broad support among those who voted.

Looking Ahead

The election results set the stage for new leadership and continued investment in public services across Calcasieu Parish. Community leaders and officials will now turn their attention to implementing renewed initiatives and addressing the priorities expressed by voters at the polls.