Patrick “Pat” Lewis says he’s in.
The Lafayette businessman who is currently employed as an auditor for the Lafayette Parish School System announced via an emailed press release Wednesday that he will challenge two-term incumbent Councilman Brandon Shelvin for the District 3 seat on the City-Parish Council:
District 3 has been my home for more than 50 years. This is where I went to school, started my professional career and raised my family. I love this city and I love District 3, and so, encouraged by my family and friends, I have decided to run for City-Parish Councilman for District 3.
From my early days on Rubria street in Washington Heights, I learned sound principles that have helped guide me as a husband, father and as a business owner. The principles of honesty, respect, effective communication and hard work have helped me all my life, and will help me be an effective voice for District 3. I want to spend my time focused on the issues that are affecting our community.
My chief desire on the Council will be to ensure that the future growth and stability of District 3 are aggressively pursued and supported. Issues of crime, support for our youth and seniors, and infrastructure concerns continue to be serious problems that have gone unaddressed over these past eight years. I stand committed to opening lines of communication and working with our citizens, business owners and community leaders to make the necessary improvements.
Many have asked me why am I running, and my response has been a simple one — we can do better. I have the will and time to give back to my community through service and I know that we can do better together. I am not satisfied with our current representation — we can do better. I have heard from many of you that are also not satisfied — we can do better, and if we take a serious look at the past eight years of representation, it is clear — District 3 can do better.
I ask for your prayers and support as we begin this journey of real change for District 3. With me as your next councilman, I know that we will do better together.
During his career in business, Lewis has owned a grocery store, a mortgage company and a medical transportation service. He has also been employed as a contract bus driver the the LPSS and is currently converting a daiquiri shop into a hamburger shop.
In a follow-up email with The IND, Lewis writes, “I understand the task that is in front of me, and I have been working hard to build the relationships necessary to give the voters a clear alternative to what we have seen over the last eight years.”
He will host a campaign kickoff party July 30 at 6 p.m. at the Villas at Angel Point activity center, 323 Patterson St.