By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Troy Brooks Sr. won the District 9 Police Jury seat, and Sandra Woods, Evelyn “Lewis” Cooper and Richard Bates won Lincoln Parish School Board seats in Districts 2, 11 and 12, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election.
In the Police Jury District 9 race, Brooks received 404 votes (67 percent) to 201 votes for Nakisha R. Evans. Unofficial turnout was 34.4 percent, with 605 total votes cast and all four Election Day precincts reporting.
Brooks credited his faith and said the win gives him a chance to use his experience on behalf of the district. He said he works as a branch manager with a major bank, owns an insurance company and is involved in community work for children and seniors.
“First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity, because I always want to put him first in my life and in the things that I’ve done,” Brooks said. “Without him, I couldn’t do anything.
“What this means to me is that I have an opportunity to use my experience as a branch manager with a major bank, as owner of my own insurance company, and in the work I’m doing in the community for our kids and our seniors. It’s going to allow me to do a lot more for my constituents in District 9. I see a grave need in our area, and I want to hear from my constituents. I know I can make a big difference, not only in District 9 but also by collaborating and networking with our other police jurors to make Ruston a better place.”
In the School Board District 2 race, Woods received 302 votes (63 percent) to 174 votes for Greta Carter. Unofficial turnout was 36.4 percent, with 476 total votes cast and all three Election Day precincts reporting.
Woods said the position will let her connect parents and the community with the schools.
“What it means to me is that I’m going to be able to bridge the gap between the community and the parents so we can help the students succeed in our district,” Woods said. “I want to thank everybody who supported me, and I want to thank all of my constituents who got out and cast their vote. It has been a pleasure, and it will be a pleasure to serve as the Lincoln Parish School Board District 2 member.”
In District 11, Cooper led a three-candidate field with 465 votes (60 percent). Richard Ray Anderson received 161 votes and Marsha Davis received 144 votes. Unofficial turnout was 38.8 percent, with 770 total votes cast and all five Election Day precincts reporting.
Cooper said she plans to focus on keeping the parish’s schools at the top. She said she served as a teacher and a principal for 41 years.
“It means the world to me to be able to serve on the Lincoln Parish School Board,” Cooper said. “I am super excited to serve the students, the parents, the community, the staff and all stakeholders, because I do want to help continue to keep Lincoln Parish at the top. I would like for them to achieve and thrive in every area of education.
“I love education. My heart is in education. I served as a teacher and a principal for 41 years, so it blesses me to be able to help impact the lives of other educators and students.”
District 12 was the closest of the four races. Bates received 297 votes (52 percetn) to 279 votes for Dr. Aimee L. Blackham, a difference of 18 votes. Unofficial turnout was 44.7 percent with 576 total votes cast and all five Election Day precincts reporting.
Bates said he wants to build partnerships in the community and support teachers.
“It would be a great opportunity to serve our community and District 12 for the Lincoln Parish school district,” Bates said. “We can create pathways to make better partnerships in the community and help support our teachers.”
Asked what the win means to him personally, Bates said it “feels great” to represent and serve the community.
All results are unofficial.
