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Calcasieu Parish Police Jury elects Brian Abshire president, names Burley vice and orders special election after Landry resignation
Summary
At its Jan. 8 meeting the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury elected Brian Abshire president (8–7), named Mister Burley vice president, approved multiple contracts and appointments and proclaimed a vacancy in District 7 after Chris E. Landry's resignation, ordering a primary on May 16 and a general on June 27, 2026.
Brian Abshire was elected president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury during the meeting on Jan. 8, 2026, following roll-call nominations and a tie-breaking vote by the presiding officer that resulted in an 8–7 tally.
"Thank you very much. I appreciate my confidence and I hope to serve you well," Abshire said after being declared elected.
The vote came after jurors nominated Mike Smith and Brian Abshire and conducted a roll-call vote that initially split 7–7; the presiding officer cast the deciding vote in favor of Abshire. Jurors also elected Mister Burley as vice president after a separate nomination and second.
Beyond leadership changes, the jury approved several routine and substantive items recommended by staff. On personnel matters, the body adopted a resolution appointing Kelly Fontenot as parish treasurer "in accordance with Louisiana law number 331651," a motion moved by Mister Markantel and seconded by Mister Quinn that carried without recorded roll-call tallies.
On procurement and infrastructure, the jury accepted a low bid of $4,587,823.66 from RE High Construction for West Calcasieu Parish roads and drainage rehabilitation after staff recommendation; that motion carried following a second. The panel also accepted multiple bids for collection and distribution pipe and associated fittings and approved six liquor and beer permit renewals as recommended by staff.
The jury adopted Ordinance No. 8029 ordering the demolition and removal of a manufactured home at 847 Ravea Road in Sulphur. Members also approved a cooperative endeavor agreement for provision of animal services and acknowledged minutes from the parish Human Services Advisory Board.
During the meeting, the jury adopted a resolution of condolences for Percy "Cut" Brown, noting his longtime work in education and local athletic administration.
Late in the meeting members voted to suspend the rules and add a proclamation recognizing the resignation of the honorable Chris E. Landry from District 7. The jury proclaimed the seat vacant effective Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, and ordered elections with a primary on May 16, 2026, and a general election on June 27, 2026; qualifying dates were noted for February 2026.
Votes at a glance - President (Item 1a): Brian Abshire elected; roll-call resolved 8–7 after presiding officer tie-break. - Vice President (Item 1b): Mister Burley elected (motion and second; no roll-call tally recorded). - Parish treasurer appointment: Kelly Fontenot appointed (motion carried). - Ordinance No. 8029: Adopted to order demolition at 847 Ravea Road, Sulphur (motion carried). - RE High Construction: Awarded contract for West Calcasieu roads & drainage rehabilitation — $4,587,823.66 (motion carried). - Other motions: Liquor/beer permit renewals, animal services cooperative agreement, various board reappointments and bid awards (all motions carried, per the record).
The parish clerk recorded motions, seconds and that votes carried on the listed items; where the transcript records only "motion carries," no individual roll-call tallies were provided in the record. The proclamation ordering the special elections sets the next procedural steps: qualifying in February and a primary on May 16 and general on June 27, 2026.
