By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Tom Daley said his neurosurgeon was emphatic when delivering news last week his cancer had returned, telling the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney, “take your tie off, put your blue jeans on and go spend some time with your wife.”

Daley said it was hard advice to accept but “it’s stupid to ignore experts.”

Daley made things official Monday morning, filing withdrawal papers with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office, officially ending the runoff election next month that would have pitted him against one of his former assistant district attorneys, Bridget Dinvaut.

A runoff between Daley and Dinvaut was scheduled Dec. 6 after they were the top two vote getters Nov. 4, Daley securing 46.26 percent of the turnout (7,029 votes), compared to Dinvaut’s 34.31 percent (5,213 votes).

A third candidate, Geri Baloney, secured 19.44 percent of votes cast.

“I think the citizens of St. John demonstrated they wanted me to be district attorney,” Daley said. “If not me, (Dinvaut). I am paying attention to what they said.

“I had a very constructive meeting with Ms. Dinvaut, and I believe she is not going to clean house. She’s going to maintain the status quo. She’ll make some adjustments as she sees fit, but she pledged to work cooperatively with the transition.”

When reached this week, Dinvaut told L’OBSERVATEUR she could not get into specifics about her service as District Attorney because she has not had enough time to discuss the position with Daley but would be moving forward “in the spirit of cooperation.”

Dinvaut described hearing the news Friday that Daley would be stepping down as extremely difficult, adding she wishes Daley the best concerning his health.

It was a sentiment Daley said he has been thankful to receive from many.

“(My election withdrawal) is based on very, very direct advice of my neurosurgeon, who told me my cancer is reactivated and that the stress and anxiety of the campaign is not helping it,” Daley said. “(Campaigning) was adverse to my health. (My doctor), in very strong terms, recommended I drop out of the race and reduce the amount of anxiety and stress. He said he can’t say that triggered the reactivation but it is not helping.

“Between now and Jan. 7, I am still the district attorney. Things will go along as status quo. When (Dinvaut) and I agree on any adjustments that need to be made, they will be made. After she is in charge, she will do what she wants to do.”

News of Daley’s election withdrawal went public Friday evening after he made the announcement on his personal Facebook page.

“I’m not a Facebook person, so my daughter and some of my staff members have kept me abreast of (the reaction,)” Daley said.

“I have received positive support and concern from the community in St. John, both in prayers and well wishes. I appreciate that, especially the prayers.”

Daley said he broke the news to his staff in meetings Friday afternoon.

“Some people were disappointed, but everybody was very supportive about trying to take care of my health,” he said.

“I thank (community members) for their help and support. I had the privilege to help serve the citizens of St. John Parish for 29 plus years. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”