If Donald Trump has proved anything, it's that action at the polls matters more than court actions, and DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court Jeremy Evans is underscoring that lesson by moving on to the November 18th Runoff Elections as the leading vote-getter despite charges of electioneering against him.
"My parents always told me not to count chickens before they hatch, but I’m confident that we’re on track to be successful in November. THANK YOU for your incredible support - I won this because of all of you," Evans wrote in a jubilant Facebook message after the polls closed.
Evans was the leading vote-getter in the primary this weekend with 37% of the vote (3,061 votes). He will face fellow Republican Lisa Lobrano Burson, who finished with 29% of the vote.
Related
A mere 48 hours before polls opened, Evans faced two misdemeanor counts of electioneering at a nursing home. He was booked into the DeSoto Parish Detention Center the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 10.
The law he's accused of breaking is a state law that forbids candidates from "handing out, placing or displaying campaign cards, pictures or other campaign literature of any kind or description in a nursing home."
He faced the accusation head on, releasing a statement on Facebook where he said some are using the incident to question the integrity of the upcoming election. He combated that by writing, "First and foremost, my visits to nursing homes throughout DeSoto Parish have always been rooted in genuine care and concern for our elderly community members."
KPEL noted that he was arrested nearly three weeks after he posted social media photos of him visiting the DeSoto Retirement & Rehabilitation Center, Inc. in Mansfield while wearing a shirt that said "re-elect Jeremy Evans" and with campaign literature in hand.
Penalties for violating the law about campaigning at senior centers includes a fine up to $500, up to six months of jail time or both. Repeat offenses could come with a $1,000 fine and one-year sentence.
Louisiana State Police confirmed they're investigating the matter, saying they've offered assistance to DeSoto officials for Saturday’s election.