On the ballot: A handful of candidates for Baton Rouge mayor will debate issues specific to north Baton Rouge during The Rouge Collection’s mayoral debate tonight. The event is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. at Champion Medical Center, 7855 Howell Blvd. Five candidates have confirmed their attendance: Democrat Sharon Weston Broome, Independent candidate Darryl Gissel, and Republicans John Delgado, Braylon Hyde and Mack “Bodi” White. The candidates will deliver an opening statement, have two minutes to respond to questions, and will be given time to rebut comments directed at them. The candidates also will be able to question their opponents. Gary Chambers, The Rouge Collection publisher Gary Chambers, will moderate the debate.
Redirected: Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration is stalling hundreds of millions in construction projects planned for state financing to instead steer more money to state building and university repairs and roadwork. The Associated Press reports that nearly $267 million in projects will be bumped in line, while $68 million in new projects will advance ahead of them. The new projects include more than $15 million for repairs to state buildings, $14 million for maintenance of public college campus facilities and $36 million for the statewide highway program. Mark Moses, director of Edwards’ Office of Facility Planning and Control, says the reshuffling accounts for the state’s ongoing financial problems and allows for the spending of money on the governor’s construction priorities. The Bond Commission approved the plans today, though some lawmakers have expressed concern about specific projects that are being delayed.
Bowing out: There’s one less candidate in Louisiana’s crowded U.S. Senate race. The Associated Press reports that Abhay Patel, one of the 24 candidates to enter the race on the Nov. 8 ballot, is dropping out and giving his support to U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany. Patel appeared with Boustany in the New Orleans area today to make the announcement. He described Boustany as a “man of integrity who has devoted his life to getting results.” Patel is a New Orleans economic development official who announced his candidacy to seek the U.S. Senate seat in June. However, he was never able to make an impact in the race that includes two sitting congressmen and other elected officials with higher name recognition and deeper pockets. The Senate seat is open because Republican David Vitter isn’t running for re-election.
