If Democratic Mayor Kip Holden should win Saturday’s runoff election in his bid for lieutenant governor against Republican Billy Nungesser, who will fill the remainder of his term?
That’s a question the Metro Council will get to answer, should it become an issue. According to the East Baton Rouge Parish Plan of Government, a vacancy in the office of mayor-president—for any reason—shall be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the council.
“It’s essentially the same procedure as if there is a vacancy on the council to fill,” says Council Administrator Casey Cashio.
Except there is a crucial distinction. In the case of council vacancies—at least, those created when the council member is elected to another office—the departing council member typically gets to handpick his or her successor. C. Denise Marcelle, for instance, has nominated former Capital Area Transit System Board President Isaiah Marshall to fill the rest of her term when she is sworn into the state Legislature in January.
Though Marshall’s tenure at CATS was marred by scandal and his nomination has been criticized, Marcelle’s fellow council members have said they will support her choice because it is customary for the district council member to make the call.
In the case of an interim mayor, however, it’s something of a free for all, and anyone could be nominated. Several council members contacted this afternoon say it’s too early to talk hypothetically about an interim mayoral appointment.
One obvious choice would be Mayor Pro Tem Chandler Loupe. Though he does not automatically ascend to the interim position, Loupe says he would be willing to serve if his fellow council members were to support him.
“If it’s not something people want me to do then I defer to their wishes,” Loupe says. “But I’m not opposed to the idea. I think I’d be a very good mayor for about 10 months.”
If Holden were to win Saturday’s election, the interim mayor would serve from the time Holden resigns until a new mayor is elected in 2016. That primary in that contest is scheduled for Nov. 8, with a runoff Dec. 10.
How likely is a Holden victory Saturday? Most polls have thus far put him behind Nungesser, but a victory is far from impossible. Holden led Nungesser 33.3% to 30% in the Oct. 24 primary. Third-place finisher John Young, also a Republican, received more than 28% in the primary.
—Stephanie Riegel
