Metro Council races: Harris loses challenge and drops out; Bourgeois overcomes another challenge

Twahna Harris, a challenger to District 1 Councilman Trae Welch, has agreed to withdraw from the Metro Council race after attorneys in 19th Judicial District Court on Monday evening agreed to dismiss Jewel Welch’s suit claiming Harris had forged signatures in her qualifying petition for candidacy, says Brandon Abadie, supervisor of elections at the city-parish Clerk of Court. With Harris’ withdrawal, Welch has no more opponents and has secured a second term in office. Harris’ withdrawal, however, won’t be official until the office of the Louisiana Secretary of State reopens after Hurricane Isaac passes and the withdrawal can be filed, Abadie says. Jewel Welch’s suit against Harris does not say how many of the signatures were allegedly forged, but notes that 100 signatures are required to qualify by petition. Also today, District 12 Councilman Rodney “Smokie” Bourgeois successfully defended himself in 19th Judicial District Court against claims that he resides in District 10 and should remove himself from the Metro Council, in accordance with state law. “It was a nonstory,” Bourgeois says, “and a waste of two hours.” Resident Gerry Juneau last week filed suit against Bourgeois, claiming Bourgeois’ rental residence in District 12 at 1225 Highland Park Dr. is not his primary residence and subleased to Ryan Salario. Bourgeois owns a home in District 10 at 2195 Kleinert Ave. Bourgeois says Salario testified that he pays “not a penny” to the councilman. Bourgeois, who seeks a third term, has had his residency challenged in previous elections. “It’s nothing new; it’s been done for years in Louisiana,” Bourgeois says. —Adam Pearson