By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – When St. John the Baptist Parish School Board members officially begin their next terms in January, only one new face will be among them after incumbent Russ Wise defeated challenger Beverly Harris in a runoff for District 8 representative Tuesday.

Wise managed to buck the current political trend that saw many incumbents lose their positions after the election.

“Actually, that was probably the biggest worry I had that there was a general feeling around the country that all your problems would go away if you throw everyone out of office,” said Wise.

“You never take anything for granted,” he said. “I was knocking on doors and talking to people well into the late afternoon the day before the election.”

Wise said he ultimately thought his record did the most good for his campaign, however.

“I just think the people are satisfied that I’m doing the job they hired me to do,” he said. “You listen to what people say, and you act on what you think is in the best interest of the kids who attend public school.”

Wise noted he has faced opposition every time he has gone up for re-election.

“I think that’s good,” he said. “No matter who you are you need to be challenged.”

Despite this, he has made it a personal policy not to get into negative campaigning, a policy to which Harris also adhered.

Referring to the Congressional races also on the ballot, Wise said, “At least we played by a better set of rules. Regardless of the outcome, I think we can both be proud of ourselves.”

It is a sentiment shared by Harris.

“I didn’t run against anyone,” she said.

Her aim, she said, was merely to serve the students of St. John.

As personal pride was not part of the equation, she has taken the loss in stride.

“God knows best where I need to serve,” she said. “I’m leaving my future in God’s hands.”

And despite losing at the polls, Harris has come away from the situation a better community member.

“I met a lot of wonderful people, and I share their concerns,” she said. “I lost the race, but I think I won the battle.”

As for the future, Harris is taking a wait-and-see approach. But if she does decide to run again, she will take the knowledge she gained from this election with her.

“It’s essential that you meet your voters and work with them to bring about improvement,” she said.

Wise, on the other hand, has his eyes firmly on the future.

“The plans are just to keep going in the same direction,” he said. “The problem is the going is going to get tougher.”

He noted that times of financial crisis tend to bring about political turmoil.

“When politics comes in, professionalism suffers,” he said.

He said he sees one of his primary duties as protecting the administration from political games so they can do what is best for the students of St. John.

“When you don’t have any money, you can’t afford to make bad decisions,” he said.

Although Harris garnered the most votes in the primary, she did not receive a majority, thereby forcing the runoff.