by Wesley Harris
Choudrant voters have selected Kip Franklin to replace longtime mayor Bill Sanderson.
In complete but unofficial returns, the Lincoln Parish of Clerk indicated Franklin received 387 votes to 200 for Brandon Milner, a former Choudrant and Ruston police officer.
Franklin is Lincoln Parish’s Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and retired Ruston firefighter.
It was Milner’s second run for mayor and Franklin’s first foray into politics.
Bill Sanderson has served as mayor since 1991 when he was appointed to complete the term of his father “Ikey” Sanderson who had passed away. Sanderson’s retirement on December 31 will mean Franklin will be the first person to hold the office since 1949 who was not named Sanderson.
After beating his opponent in 2002, Bill Sanderson was unopposed until 2022, when he defeated Milner 277-218 to win by 59 votes.
“I’m just elated,” Franklin said Tuesday night. “I don’t know how many people from Ruston and all over the parish told me they wished they lived in Choudrant so they could vote for me. That’s so comforting to know people feel that way.”
“I want to thank all my supporters in Choudrant and all over the parish,” Franklin said. The longtime public servant said he wanted to work to grow citizen participation in improving Choudrant.
Unofficial turnout for the mayoral election was 69.1%.
Retired state trooper John Clary bested incumbent police chief Willard Sullivan, taking 70% of the vote. In complete but unofficial returns, Clary received 405 votes to Sullivan’s 172.
Six candidates were vying for Choudrant’s Board of Aldermen with three positions slated to be filled. The top vote getters were Rick Maier (307), John Croswell (303), and Jake Haddox (268). Other candidates were Corey Martin (234), Donald Guillotte (169), and Bryce Rodgers (144).
The new officials will take office in January.
