Randal Gaines of LaPlace is the new state representative for District 57. Gaines defeated Russ Wise, also of LaPlace, 5,677 to 2,548, or 69 percent to 31 percent. Gaines won handily in both St. John and St. Charles parishes.

Troy Brown won the Senate seat for District 2, defeating Elton Aubert, 12,863 to 11,549, or 53 percent to 47 percent. District 2 includes portions of St. John, St. James and John Charles parishes.

In the race for District 56 of the state House of Representatives, Gregory Miller defeated G. Ram Ramchandran, 5,201 to 3,143, or 62-38 percent. This district covers portions of St. Charles and St. John parishes.

Clay Schexnayder won the House race in District 81 over Kevin Hull. Schexnayder had 64 percent to Hull’s 36 percent, or 5,549 votes to 3,116 votes. District 81 includes a portion of St. John and St. James parishes.

And in the race for Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 2, Kira Orange Jones has defeated incumbent Louella Givens. Jones had 57 percent of the vote to Givens’ 43 percent, or 31,086 votes to  23,886 votes.