In more than a decade, the DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court’s Office will have a new leader. Lisa Lobrano Burson defeated Jeremey Evans as Clerk of Court in the November 18 election. Burson secured 52% of the vote to Evans 48%. Voter turnout was a little over 34%.

Burson promised voters a commitment to bringing transparency and accountability to the clerk’s office ensuring all public records and office spending will be open for inspection to the citizens. She also assured voters that if elected, the job of the Clerk of Court will be to serve citizens, to perform the functions sworn to uphold, and to not be an obstructionist to transparency.

Burson was endorsed by many of the parish’s elected official, state lawmakers and fellow primary challengers. Bruson promised citizens, “As your next Clerk of Court, I will ensure that your rights as a public citizen will be honored and you will always be served with courtesy and respect.”

Evans’ campaign was marred by controversy stemming from his arrest for two counts of electioneering in connection with voting in nursing homes in October. He posted pictures on social media showing him at a local nursing home with campaign literature after a state-imposed deadline. 

Other races on the ballot included four Parish Police Jury seats. Winners are District 1B Bubba Clark, District 4B Jeri Burrell, District 4D Trina Boyd-Simpson, and District 6 Rodriguez Dale Ross. The Desoto Parish School Board had two bond proposals for additions and improvements, one for Logansport and the other in North DeSoto. Logansport’s passed while North DeSoto’s was defeated.

In a multi-parish race, Republican Stacey Melerine beat out Democrat Emma Shepard for District 4 BESE. The seat was left vacant by Melerine’s husband, Michael Melerine, who won a State Representative seat in October.

In statewide contests, Nancy Landry bested “Gwen” Collins-Greenup for Secretary of State. Liz Baker Murrill will take over as the new Louisiana Attorney General beating Lindsey Cheek. John Fleming handily beat Dustin Granger for State Treasurer. All amendments passed with the exception of Amendment 4.

I am committed to bringing TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY to this office. As they should be, all public records and office spending will be open for inspection to the citizens! We will not try to hide anything the public is allowed to view. The job of the Clerk of Court is to serve citizens, to perform the functions they are sworn to uphold, and not be an obstructionist to transparency.