AMITE — Voters across Tangipahoa Parish headed to the polls Tuesday to settle an extensive, high-stakes local ballot deciding leadership for towns, courts and classrooms across the Northshore.

The ballot featured contested races at every level of municipal and parish governance, including races for mayors, city marshals, police chiefs, aldermen and city council seats across local municipalities like Hammond, Ponchatoula, Independence and Amite. Voters also weighed in on critical Tangipahoa Parish School Board seats, alongside a crowded slate of judicial seats, congressional primaries and statewide proposed constitutional amendments.

With precincts closing parishwide at 8 p.m., early voting tallies and machine returns are being tabulated Tuesday evening by election officials.

Read below for election day results for Tangipahoa Parish. For full results, check out WBRZ's Election Guide. 

City Marshal City Court, City of Hammond 

HAMMOND — The race for marshal of the Hammond City Court is headed to a runoff election after none of the four contenders captured more than 50% of the vote.

Leading the field was "Pat" Farris, a Republican, with 9,246 votes (48.06%), followed by Democrat Becky Jackson with 6,361 votes (33.06%). They will face each other on the ballot in the runoff election.

Eliminated from the contest were David Bickford, who received 2,334 votes (12.13%), and Arden Wells, who finished with 1,299 votes (6.75%).

Because Louisiana open primary rules require a candidate to clear a majority to win outright, voters in the City of Hammond will return to the polls on Dec. 12 to decide whether Farris or Jackson will serve as the next city marshal.

Member of School Board District C 

AMITE — Republican candidate Lance Traylor has been elected to the Tangipahoa Parish School Board representing District C.

Traylor defeated independent candidate John J. Polito Jr. by 1,036 votes.

Traylor is a lifelong resident of Tangipahoa and said he would focus his efforts on being a good steward of taxpayer dollars and ensuring safe, positive environments for both students and staff members.

Member of School Board District E 

AMITE — Republican candidate Hunter Logan Smith has been elected to the Tangipahoa Parish School Board representing District E.

Smith defeated independent candidate John W. Hatcher III by 765 votes.

Smith, a Hammond resident and healthcare facility administrator, stated he would bring “leadership, accountability, and responsible management” to the schools of his district.

Member of School Board District G 

AMITE — Incumbent Jerry Moore has won reelection to the Tangipahoa Parish School Board representing District G.

Moore, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Donna Wallette by 1,454 votes, according to complete but unofficial returns from the Secretary of State's office.

Moore ran on his record of board service as the incumbent.

Member of School Board District I

AMITE — Republican candidate Cindy Jenkins has been elected to the Tangipahoa Parish School Board representing District I.

Jenkins defeated fellow Republican Blandon Sorrell II by 2,645 votes, according to complete but unofficial returns from the Secretary of State's office.

Jenkins told WBRZ, “I’ve dedicated my career to our schools, our community, and I’m excited about the opportunity to continue serving in this new capacity. Throughout my 30 years of service in Tangipahoa Parish School System, 20 years serving as the Board Members' secretary, I had a front-row seat to the work that shapes the education of our children.”

Mayor City of Hammond 

HAMMOND — The race for mayor of the City of Hammond is heading to a runoff after none of the four contenders captured more than 50% of the vote.

Leading the field was Democrat Tracy Washington Wells with 2,093 votes (40.83%), followed by Republican Lacy Landrum with 1,333 votes (26%). The two top finishers will face each other on the ballot in the runoff election.

Finishing out of runoff contention were Republican Carlee White Gonzales, who received 1,290 votes (25.17%), and Democrat Kiplyn "Kip" Andrews, who garnered 410 votes (8%).

Under Louisiana election rules, candidates must clear an outright majority to win in the primary; voters in the City of Hammond will return to the polls on Dec. 12 to decide whether Wells or Landrum will serve as the city's next mayor.

Mayor Town of Kentwood 

KENTWOOD — The election for mayor of the Town of Kentwood is heading to a runoff after none of the three candidates captured more than 50% of the vote.

Leading the field was Democrat Irma Thompson Gordon with 325 votes (42.43%), followed by Democrat Michael "Mike
 Hall with 228 votes (29.77%). Both will advance to face each other on the ballot in the runoff election.

Finishing out of runoff contention was Xavier D. Diamond, who received 213 votes (27.81%).

Under Louisiana election rules, candidates must secure more than 50% of the vote in the primary to avoid a runoff; voters in Kentwood will return to the polls on Dec. 12 to decide whether Gordon or Hall will serve as the town's mayor.

Mayor Village of Tickfaw 

TICKFAW — Republican candidate Wade Piediscalzo has been elected mayor of the Village of Tickfaw after securing an outright majority in the primary election, according to complete but unofficial reporting from the Secretary of State's office.

Piediscalzo won the mayor’s office with 128 votes (57.66%), surpassing the 50% threshold needed to prevent a runoff against fellow Republican Anthony Lamonte and nonpartisan opponent Jimmy Sparacello.

Piediscalzo, a small business owner, said, “We do need some growth in Tickfaw. We have such good potential with the [US 51] exit right there… That’s one of the biggest things; revenue is what the town needs.”

Chief of Police Town of Kentwood 

KENTWOOD — Democratic candidate Lemmie Chapman III has been elected chief of police for the Town of Kentwood.

Chapman defeated incumbent Republican Michael Kazerooni by 104 votes, according to complete but unofficial returns from the Secretary of State's office.

Chapman campaigned on prioritizing the youth of Kentwood and building transparency within the community.

Aldermen Town of Independence 

INDEPENDENCE — Nonpartisan candidate Gaye Guzzardo has been elected alderwoman for the Town of Independence.

Guzzardo defeated fellow nonpartisan candidate Lionel Basso by 130 votes, according to complete but unofficial returns from the Secretary of State's office.

Guzzardo, a former school teacher and administrator, told WBRZ her main goal is to encourage responsible community growth while preserving the small-town feel of Independence.

Council Member District 2, City of Hammond 

HAMMOND — Republican candidate Jason Hood has been elected to the Hammond City Council representing District 2, winning the seat outright without advancing to a runoff.

Hood claimed victory with 689 votes (55.03%), clearing the majority threshold in the four-candidate race to defeat fellow Republicans Drake Arnone, Cody Garafola and Adam Menszer.

Hood, who previously served as District 2 councilman from 2007 to 2019, told WBRZ his main goals in office would be to fund street repairs, pursue regular maintenance of drainage canals and provide support to Hammond’s first responders.

Council Member District 4, City of Hammond 

HAMMOND — Incumbent Republican Sam DiVittorio has won reelection to the Hammond City Council representing District 4, securing an outright majority in the primary election.

DiVittorio won the three-candidate contest with 476 votes (55.41%), surpassing the 50% threshold needed to prevent a runoff against Republican challenger Thomas T. Nealsson and nonpartisan opponent Justin Cashe.

DiVittorio, a real estate agent and two-term councilman, campaigned on improving neighborhood protection and encouraging responsible growth within the city.

Council Member District 5, City of Hammond 

HAMMOND — Incumbent Republican Steven "Steve" Leon has won reelection to the Hammond City Council representing District 5.

Leon defeated nonpartisan challenger Bethany Viviano by 102 votes, according to complete but unofficial returns from the Secretary of State's office.

Leon ran on his record of council service, emphasizing a need for increased drainage funding, neighborhood watch programs and better street lighting.

Council Members Town of Kentwood (5 elected)

KENTWOOD — Voters in Kentwood have decided a crowded 10-candidate field for town leadership, returning two incumbents to office and electing three newcomers to fill the five seats on the Kentwood Town Council.

With all two precincts and absentee ballots fully reported, Democratic incumbents Jakoiya Wilkerson and Gary Callihan secured reelection alongside newly elected Democrats Terrell "Teddy" Hookfin Sr., Joi A. Smith and Deanna Burton.

Leading the pack, Democratic candidate Terrell "Teddy" Hookfin Sr. secured the top spot with 468 votes (15.01%). Hookfin, who is currently a pastor with Union Chapel Baptist Church, earned one of the five open seats on the council.

Incumbent Jakoiya Wilkerson captured the second-highest tally, winning reelection with 451 votes (14.47%). Wilkerson, a Democrat, campaigned on her experience in public office as she secured another term representing town residents.

Democratic candidate Joi A. Smith earned a seat on the council, taking third place with 420 votes (13.47%). Smith centered her campaign on providing transparent leadership and maintaining accountability in office.

Incumbent Gary Callihan secured reelection to the council with 408 votes (13.09%). Callihan, a Democrat who has served multiple terms on the council, campaigned on his proven record in public service.

Rounding out the five winning seats, Democratic candidate Deanna Burton won election to the council with 307 votes (9.85%). Burton captured the final seat to complete an all-Democratic sweep of the Kentwood municipal board.

For full results, check out WBRZ's Election Guide.