LAPLACE — There will be contested elections in March for open seats on the St. John the Baptist Parish Council and School Board.

James “Buddy” Duhe, Steven Fraker and Thomas Malik each qualified to fill the District 7 seat on the Parish Council.

Raj Pannu has sat on the board on an interim basis following the abrupt departure of elected Councilman Buddy Boe, who resigned his seat to serve fulltime as senior advisor and communications director for Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

Each of the candidates who qualified this week listed LaPlace addresses and Republican affiliations.

Nia Mitchell, who is the interim School Board member filling the term of Rodney B. Nicholas for District 10, qualified to run for the rest of the term.

Lisa Johnson Pittman also qualified for the election.

Each candidate in the School Board election listed LaPlace addresses and Democrat affiliations.

The last day to register to vote for the March primary is Feb. 22. Early Voting runs March 11-18.