In Gretna and Terrytown, three candidates compete for Louisiana House seat

Youth, political experience and passion differentiate the three candidates running to succeed Joe Marino III in the race for the 85th District seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

The district encompasses Gretna and most of Terrytown, with a population that is about 37% White, 37% Black, 5% Asian and 19% of other races, according to legislative figures. Almost one quarter of all residents consider themselves Hispanic.

The political breakdown is 43% Democratic, 25% Republican and 32% other.

Marino, who is not affiliated with any political party, did not seek reelection. He resigned the seat Aug. 21, in advance of being appointed to an interim judgeship.

Vying to take over are Andrew Bennett of Terrytown, no party; Vincent Cox III of Gretna, a Republican; and Andrea Manuel of Gretna, a Democrat. Bennett and Cox are White, and Manuel is Black.

Through Sept. 4, the candidates' campaign finance reports show:

Bennett -- Spent $2,353 on the race and had $1,188 in the bankCox -- Spent $23,215 and had $41,435 remainingManuel -- Spent $5,405 with $2,945 still in hand.

Early voting begins Sept. 30. Election day is Oct. 14; if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two advance to the runoff on Nov. 18.

Andrew Bennett

Bennett, 26, grew up in Slidell. He works as a data analyst for Arkos Health, a managed care company headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona.

The other 85th District candidates are more than a generation older than Bennett, which he sees as a selling point for voters who consider the long term: "I have much more invested in the future of this state."

Alone among the candidates, Bennett expressed alarm about climate change and its dramatic effect on Louisiana. If elected, he said, he would work to rein in carbon emissions, raise taxes on the oil and gas industry and build more resilient infrastructure. Only by addressing climate change, he said, will Louisiana make significant progress in controlling property insurance costs.

"I worry that as a young person, I less and less see myself having a future in this state," said Bennett, who hopes to marry his girlfriend and raise children with her.

His statement applies not only to the environment but also to public education and health care, both of which he said are at risk in Louisiana. He said he would vote for "much more funding" for public schools, against vouchers for private schools and to make abortion legal.

Vincent Cox III

Cox, 64, is a lifelong resident of the 85th District. He retired from AT&T after 43 years as a network technical specialist. He served seven terms on the Gretna City Council, where he was a leading proponent of parks and recreation programs, and left public office after losing the 2013 race for mayor to Council member Belinda Constant.

He said his public service, his roots in the district and his ability to work with other politicians and interest groups earned him endorsements this year from Constant, Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson, four of the five City Council members — all but Democrat Rudy Smith — and Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr., Assessor Tom Capella and Clerk of Court Jon Gegenheimer.

"They recognize me as the most experienced and the one who can get things done," he said.

If elected to the House, Cox said, he would prioritize state funding for coastal restoration, law enforcement and local infrastructure projects. He's less inclined to appropriate public money for nonprofits to deliver public services, which he said legislators do to buy votes.

And he balks at the notion that the youngest candidate in the race is the best suited to advance Louisiana's long-term interests. When voting in the House, Cox said, "The decision can't be good just for today; it's also got to be good for my grandsons."

Andrea Manuel

Manuel, 58, grew up in Old Jefferson, spent two years as Christian missionary in Venezuela and has worked as an insurance agent, child welfare specialist in the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and teacher at four schools, most recently Riverdale High. She owns a consulting company that offers Spanish language instruction and life coaching.

If Bennett is more oriented to policy and Cox to the political process, Manuel expresses the most passion for getting elected.

"I've decided to run because the balance of power of this state is no longer serving families," she said. By that, she means Republicans, especially the ones who resisted giving public school teachers a permanent pay raise.

Thus her top priority if elected: teacher pay raises and "giving them more incentives to stay for the long haul." Manuel said the AFL-CIO has endorsed her.

Other priorities are improving the market for property insurance, expanding health insurance and public safety. She would not say where she might cut spending.