Melville Mayor Velma Hendrix.
The small St. Landry Parish town of Melville remains in limbo after the election day death, of their mayor, 84-year-old Velma Hendrix, who was seeking a second term. And because Hendrix was killed in a car crash after the polls opened, one of her challengers Sam Londerno said the election hasn’t been called.
“We’re in turmoil as to what to do, whether we need to take a step back or continue on with everything,” said Londerno.
Secretary of State’s office spokesperson John Tobler said when a candidate dies after qualifying but before the polls close qualifying starts over. Qualifying begins today and will close on Monday.
“If no one additional qualifies for the race, the results will be final,” said Tobler.
The current results, without those cast for Hendrix, indicate Londerno won 52 percent of the vote and Caretta Robertson 48 percent.
Londerno said the loss of Hendrix has left the community in shock. She said Hendrix taught school for several years and previously served as an alderman on the town’s board before she was elected mayor in 2018.
“She’s just been a staple here and people are reeling from it, it’s just still hard to believe,” said Londerno.
Hendrix was riding in a 2008 Acura RDX on U.S. 190 when it was struck by a 2015 Ram shortly after 11 AM Tuesday. Hendrix was taken to a local hospital and where she died from her injuries.
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