Driving down La. 30 into St. Gabriel, it looks like a regular election for mayor: dozens of lawn signs and billboards advertise incumbent Mayor Lionel Johnson Jr., Mayor Pro-Tem Ronald Grace, and Kyle Grace.
But beneath the surface, the race has been roiled by accusations of mismanagement, a lack of transparency and family tensions.
Johnson, 48, is running for a fourth term; Ronald Grace, 65, has served eight years in city council and is its current leader.
Kyle Grace, 34, is new to politics, having worked for the State Department of Corrections, Exxon, State Farm Insurance, and started a construction company, among other jobs. He says it’s time for a change in the city.
“I was always involved in the observation of politics and didn’t think we were in the best shape,” he said. “We have $134 million in revenue [over 11 years] and counting, but nowhere near the resources one would expect for a city.”
The city’s revenue in 2022 was $13.5 million, according to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s annual financial report.
Ronald Grace said he would also spend resources differently — he wants to focus on infrastructure, lighting and drawing retail to the city — but argues his experience will help him achieve those goals.
“I think my eight years have given me a lot of experience,” he said. “Stakeholders have been asking for a different type of retail, and I can provide the incentives to govern a little differently here.”
Johnson says he’s proud to stand on the record of visible changes that have occurred during his three terms so far.
“People can see where their money is going. Whether they like me or not, disagree or agree with my political philosophy on things, I don’t think anyone can deny that they can see where their money is going,” he said.
A fight over a grocery store
One thing residents are asking for is a grocery store. It comes up over and over at campaign events for all three candidates.
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