The election of state Rep. Fred Mills to the state Senate Saturday was significant on multiple fronts - some apparent, and some not so apparent. The election of state Rep. Fred Mills to the state Senate Saturday was significant on multiple fronts - some apparent, and some not so apparent.
In the apparent column, Mills may have scored one of the most impressive single primary victories in recent history, garnering 60 percent of the vote in a six-candidate field, which included fellow state Rep. Simone Champagne and four other candidates from Iberia Parish, which constituted 58 percent of the district. Mills was the lone candidate from St. Martin Parish, which comprised 42 percent of district. Mills was supported by childhood friend and current Secretary of Natural Resources Scott Angelle, St. Martin Parish President Guy Cormier, Mineral Board member and Iberia native Paul Segura, as well as state Sen. Mike Michot.
In the Champagne corner was House Speaker Jim Tucker, U.S. Sen. David Vitter (who recorded robocalls for Champagne), Iberia Parish President Ernest Freyou, former state Sen. Craig Romero, and recently elected Congressman Jeff Landry.
Read more analysis of the race and its impact on the Teche power struggle in my column ("Peep Goat") Wednesday. In the meantime, read about Mills in last week's cover story, "Fight Card."