LAPLACE – Former St. John the Baptist Parish Councilman and current Edgard resident Perry Bailey has announced his candidacy for St. John the Baptist Parish President in the March 27 special election.

In a statement released Friday Bailey, 56, said St. John Parish needs “the kind of leader that will rebuild the confidence in parish government.”

“I have the skills and capabilities to lead and unify the parish,” Bailey said in his release. “I know St. John Parish and I have a proven track record of getting things done.”

Bailey is the co-owner and agent of A+ Advantage Insurance Agency in Edgard and a loan originator with Professional Mortgage Services of Baton Rouge. He served in the administration of former Parish President Arnold Labat before being elected to the St. John Council from 1996 to 2000. He also spent time on various school board and parish committees.

“I feel that I am the only candidate in the race that can offer the ‘triple threat,’” Bailey said.

“I’ve been an administrator, I’ve been a councilman, and I’ve been a consultant in St. John Parish.”

Bailey previously ran unsuccessfully for parish president in 2003 and in 2007. He currently resides in Edgard with his wife Kathie. The couple has been married 32 years, and they have three children together.

Bailey has a bachelor’s degree from Southern University (1975) and a master’s degree from Nicholls State (1976).

The parish presidency has been vacant since the resignation of Bill Hubbard, who pleaded guilty in September to taking $20,000 in bribes from three parish contractors.

There are two years left in Hubbard’s four-year term, and the Parish Charter requires a special election to choose his successor.

Official qualifying for the election will be Feb. 3 through 5.