Kevin Davis ends his quest for a fourth term

St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis has given up his quest for a fourth term. In a statement yesterday, Davis says he has asked the St. Tammany Parish Council to withdraw a proposition that would allow him to run again in 2011. Davis thanks those who encouraged him to attempt to run again, saying “there is much work to be done in St. Tammany Parish in the coming three years and I will devote myself to accomplishing as much as I am able.” At tomorrow’s council meeting, Parish Councilman Steve Stefancik planned to introduce an ordinance scheduling a May 2 referendum. Davis had said in December that he wanted a fourth term to complete pending projects. St. Tammany limits the parish president to three terms, and in 2007, 64% of voters affirmed that rule. Although opponents have made their often caustic views known in online blogs and letters to the editor in recent weeks, spokeswoman Suzanne Parsons Stymiest tells 10/12 Weekly that Davis didn’t bow to pressure, and has no plans at this point to pursue another political office. “Kevin decided he wanted to spend next three years working on priority projects that are near and dear to his heart, that his efforts are best spent there,” she says. “He has decided to put his energy into making sure they move forward.” She says those projects include University Square, flood protection, economic development and a children’s museum. Davis also is mulling the idea of an entertainment complex—including a riverboat casino—near Slidell. — PBF