Voters Pick Bishop, Mills In Legis Races

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Voters on Saturday picked replacements for a New Orleans legislator who went to Congress and an Acadiana senator who took a state regulatory post.

With all 22 precincts reporting, unofficial returns show Democrat Wesley T. Bishop capturing 75 percent of the vote in the contest for the state House seat that Cedric Richmond vacated after winning the 2nd District congressional seat. Richmond endorsed Bishop. Democrats Roland Barthe and Willie Jones each received less than 15 percent.

Meanwhile, Republican Fred Mills, Jr. easily defeated five other candidates for the seat of former independent state Sen. Troy Hebert, who was named Louisiana's alcohol and tobacco control commissioner. The closest runners-up were Republican Simone Champagne and independent David Groner. The seat represents parts of Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes.