McBride wins assessor; Cook re-elected

Note: this story is from Sunday morning's online-only edition covering the results of Saturday's primary election

Billy Mac McBride will be the new Lincoln Parish assessor, come Jan. 1, 2021.

Complete but unofficial returns from Saturday’s primary election show McBride, the current chief deputy assessor, received 62% of the vote, or 6,844 votes, to challenger Walter Pullen’s approximately 38%, or 4,115.

McBride will succeed retiring Assessor Sheila Bordelon.

“I want to thank the voters for their support and confidence in me,” McBride said. “I’m looking forward to working with all the other officials and keeping doing what we’re doing.”

McBride has worked in the assessor’s office for 10 years.

Pullen, who gave up his District 6 Lincoln Parish Police Jury seat to run for assessor, complimented McBride on his win.

“He ran a great race. He outworked me and deserved to win,” Pullen said.

He said would continue to keep an eye on assessor’s office and wouldn’t rule out a possible future bid for office.

“Never say never,” Pullen said, “but mostly I just want to say 'thank you.' I am honored by the support I got from a lot people. I’m better off for the experience (of campaigning). I’m obviously disappointed. I had hoped to have this opportunity to serve the people.”

Meanwhile, Clerk of Court Linda Cook easily won re-election over opponent Troy Hughes. Cook received 85% of the vote to Hughes’ 15%. That gave Cook 9,596 votes to Hughes’ 1,740.

Cook said she is “humbly grateful” to be able to continue to serve as clerk of court.