LAPLACE — A string of newcomers highlight the field of candidates elected Saturday in runoffs for St. John the Baptist Parish Council and Assessor.

Larry Sorapuru Jr. will join the Council Jan. 11 as Division A Councilman at Large following his victory Saturday over Sylvia Taylor-Dunn for the seat currently held by Lucien Gauff III.

“How does it feel to win? It’s a very comfortable feeling,” Sorapuru said Monday morning. “I felt that people were reaching out to me, looking for some new directions for the Parish. I felt confident that the people had made the right choice based on information I gave. I thought people were very concerned with moving the Parish forward.”

Sorapuru finished Saturday with 4,414 votes or 56.5 percent of the turnout.

“As a councilman I’m very straight forward,” he said. “I try to give information on things that need to be done. I’m a team player and I believe in getting people involved in solving the problems that we need to solve. I’m an open-minded person and I like working with people that are team players.”

Sorapuru said the Parish Council has good representatives in place right now and he hopes to energize the group and foster unity on the board.

Joining Sorapuru on the Council is Kurt Becnel, who finished District 1 voting Saturday with 1,578 votes (57.78 percent) compared to 1153 for fellow candidate Lester “Coach” Smith.

“It feels good, I’m very happy and I’m looking forward to the position,” Becnel said.

“I’m going to be a councilman that is very attentive to residents’ needs, issues and concerns. That’s what I’m going to base my success on. As a councilman, I’m going to be fair, firm and consistent in everything that I do. I feel that since you elected me as your councilman, I will not ignore your issues and concerns. That’s what I’m going to do, make personal visits or site visits to people.”

Becnel said he is looking forward to working with new members and veteran Council members.

“Sometimes, change is good,” he said. “A few of them actually called me to congratulate me. I’m looking forward to working with them. I’m going to bring my business skills to the Council and hopefully we can work together in one accord. We’re not going to all agree, but let’s try to do things in a professional manner.”

Becnel and Coach Smith were in the runoff Saturday after incumbent Arthur “Dokie” Smith finished third and out of the general election.

Another new member of the Council will take her seat in January as the voters selected Julia Remondet Saturday to represent District 2.

Remondet secured 1,602 votes (65.33 percent), compared to 850 for incumbent Ranney Wilson.

Remondet said she hopes residents chose her because they feel she can get things accomplished and represent them to the best of her ability.

“My goal is to work hard for the district, and I hope that I can make some changes and make a difference,” Remondet said. “I’m going to work with the administration to get things done. I’m a very dedicated and determined hard worker.”

Remondet said the new face of the Council includes representatives who have been around government operations or active in government dealings.

“You have people who are very informed and have a working knowledge of how government, itself, operates,” she said. “I think they will bring a different insight into the Council, and I think they will be able to forge a good working relationship between the current Council members.”

In what proved to be the tightest race of the night in St. John Parish, Lucien Gauff III edged Kevin Prudhomme by 164 votes (7,998 to 7,834) to begin as Assessor.

Gauff will assume the duties in 2017 after Whitney Joseph Jr. retires.

Prudhomme is a member of Joseph’s staff.

Gauff said he would be happy to keep Prudhomme on board.

“I plan on having Mr. Prudhomme work with us,” Gauff said. “He brings a lot of experience to the job. He has 15 years. I hope that he can work with me. I plan to work with him.”

Gauff’s election victory capped a strong five weeks for him following his second place showing in October’s primary election, where he finished second to Prudhomme in votes, 4,686 to 6,312.

“I’m not one to sit there and watch the results (come in on Saturday night,)” Gauff said. “It’s too gut wrenching. I was actually in and out of the room. When I walked in, they said we were down 450 votes with only five precincts left. One of my team members said those precincts would be ours, and I thought that’s the optimism that is going to help us win. Then, within like 10 seconds, everyone started yelling and screaming and running towards me.”

Gauff credited his jump is support over the last month to recognizing where he had weaknesses and making calls, knocking on doors and asking people to get out and vote. Gauff said he is hopeful of meeting with Assessor Joseph after the holidays to get together and plan a proper transition.

“I don’t take office until January 2017, that’s the way it’s set up,” Gauff said. “We’re ready to work.”

In the race for justice of the Peace District  3, Rob Snyder (1,114 votes) defeated Darlene Triche-Hall (10,51 votes).

— By Raquel Derganz Baker