INDReporter

Hidalgo scores endorsements from Acadiana leges

by Patrick Flanagan

With the turmoil raging and our school system continuing to hold on by a thread in anticipation of November's elections, several Acadiana's legislators are throwing their names and their support behind the candidates: Most recently with an endorsement of Jeremy Hidalgo's campaign for District 9.

With the turmoil raging and our school system continuing to hold on by a thread in anticipation of November's elections, several Acadiana's legislators are throwing their names and their support behind the candidates: Most recently with an endorsement of Jeremy Hidalgo's campaign for District 9.

Out of the school board's nine districts, District 9 is easily the fastest growing, and includes the areas encompassing Broussard, Youngsville and Milton. The district is currently represented by outgoing board member Rae Trahan, who's decision against reelection is most likely because of her slim chance of winning after having spent much of the last four years derailing the efforts of Superintendent Pat Cooper and the Turnaround Plan.

Rep. Nancy Landry

Rep. Page Cortez

Rep. Stuart Bishop

Hidalgo is a Milton native and a MetLife insurance rep. With the race for November now in full-swing against District 9's only other challenger, Brian West - an instructor at UL Lafayette - Hidalgo's campaign got an added boost last week when he picked up endorsements from several of Acadiana's Republican legislators, including Reps. Stuart Bishop, Page Cortez and Nancy Landry. Hidalgo received an additional endorsement from former school board member / former state Rep. Rickey Hardy.

"I'm not involved in any other races, but I've known Jeremy since 2007, and he's been very active in Milton, Youngsville and Broussard issues and has already presented himself as humble and positive," says Cortez, who confirmed his endorsement with The IND on Monday. "He asked for my endorsement and I was happy to see a person of his character offer himself for public service."

The Hidalgo endorsement follows an announcement last week from Lafayette businessman Erick Knezek that he'd received official backing from Reps. Landry and Bishop in his bid against incumbent Hunter Beasley for the board's District 8 seat.

Additional school board candidates may also be receiving an endorsement from Landry in the lead up to Nov. 4, but that support, she says in a text message to The IND, will only be extended to "candidates who I believe will put the academic success of our students ahead of board politics."

"I support Jeremy Hidalgo because he will put the interest of children ahead of petty politics," says Landry. "I know Jeremy personally from my involvement over the years with the Milton Civic Club, and I believe he shares our community values. I know he will make academic achievement for our children his number one priority."