Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni is not going to put his name on the ballot.
“While I treasure public service, there are still parts of the political process that come with the job that I don’t like. I recognize that running for a second term would result in me having to spend the entire campaign talking about issues other than the great strides and forward movement Jefferson Parish has made under my administration," he said in an online post. "I can’t submit my family, friends, and this parish to months of that kind of campaign."
Yenni was elected nearly four years ago. He was then plagued by a sexting scandal.
A teenager claimed the Parish President sent him explicit text messages, met him in a public restroom, gave him some underwear, kissed him and invited him to join him at a camp.
The 17-year-old boy said it happened in the summer of 2015.
Yenni later told the parish council, "I am deeply sorry for my actions and I apologize to my family and my God."
He has not publicly addressed the scandal since.
Yenni said today, “Since taking office in January of 2016, progress throughout Jefferson Parish has been undeniable.”
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