UPDATED 9:35 p.m.: Amedee beats Harrison for House; Pitman wins judgeship; recreation tax passes

Challenger Beryl Amedee unseated incumbent state Rep. Joe Harrison in Saturday’s general election.

The district extends into eastern St. Mary Parish.

According to complete but unofficial returns, Amedee, a member of the Terrebonne Parish Council, won 4,101 votes, or 52 percent, to 3,783, or 48 percent, for incumbent Harrison. Both candidates are Republicans.
Harrison, although he’s a Republican, was generally an opponent of Gov. Bobby Jindal. Amedee ran to Harrison’s right and brought up allegations, that have yet to be proven, that Harrison improperly reported travel expenses. Harrison denied that he was under investigation.

Also Saturday:

In the race for the open 16th Judicial District judgeship, Lewis Pitman won with 18,111 votes, or 53 percent, to 16,366, or 47 percent, for “Eddie’ Guidry. Both men are Republicans.

A property tax proposal for Recreation District No. 3 in the Bayou Vista area passed. The combination of two taxes into a single 8.78-mill tax for recreation facility maintenance drew 395 yes votes, or 54 percent, to 337 no votes, or 46 percent, according to complete but unofficial returns.

Craig A. Matthews captured the St. Mary Parish Council District 1 seat, winning 1,049 votes, or 58 percent, to 771 votes, or 42 percent, for Patrice Rodriguez Picard. Both candidates are Democrats. The returns were complete but unofficial.

In District 3, Dale J. Rogers, a Democrat, won with 1,006 votes, or 52 percent, to 933, or 48 percent, for Rodney P. Olander, a Republican.

The Fire Protection District No. 1 tax proposition, a 2-mill tax for 10 years, passed easily with 32 votes, or 71 percent, to 13, or 29 percent, voting against.