BY ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Both candidates facing off in the May 1 election for St. John the Baptist Parish President are continuing to secure endorsements as Election Day draws near.

Richard “Dale” Wolfe announced he has secured the support of St. John School Board President and former Parish Presidential candidate Gerald Keller, while Natalie Robottom has said that St. John District Attorney Tom Daley is backing her candidacy.

In a statement released Monday, Keller, who finished fourth in the five candidate primary election, said in reviewing the platforms of each candidate he narrowed his choice to Wolfe because of his commitment to open dialogue with his constituents while not making any political promises.

“Dale Wolfe has demonstrated that his heart is into improving the quality of life for the people of St. John the Baptist Parish, and he will not serve or reward special interest groups or individuals who have contributed financially to his campaign,” Keller said in the statement. “He is truly a candidate for all the people of St. John the Baptist Parish.”

Keller also said Wolfe was the only candidate in the runoff to reach out to him to discuss “his politics, his platform and his concerns for the parish.”

Daley, meanwhile, said in a statement released by Robottom’s campaign that he is supporting Robottom because of her commitment to serve with “honor and distinction” at every step of her career.

“We can erase the cloud of corruption that has hung over St. John for way too long by electing Natalie Robottom,” Daley said in the statement referring to former Parish President Bill Hubbard, who resigned before pleading guilty to federal bribery charges involving parish contractors. “As the most qualified candidate for this important position, Natalie will restore your trust in local government by instituting a zero tolerance policy for corruption.”